Hyacinthoides hispanica aka Hispanic Hyacinthoides

Hyacinthoides hispanica is known as Spanish bluebell or wood hyacinth. It is a bulb-forming perennial in the asparagus family. Kew places its native range in Portugal and western and southern Spain. Other garden sources also include northwest Africa in its range. It grows in a temperate climate and sheds its leaves. In woodland, it grows beneath trees that lose their leaves.

Plants form upright clumps and grow fast from bulbs. Garden height ranges from 0.5–1.5 feet [0.15–0.46 metres]. RHS gives an upper height of 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. Clumps spread about 0.5–1 foot [0.15–0.3 metres]. RHS lists a smaller spread, up to 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. The green leaves are glossy, long, and strap-shaped. Their edges are smooth, and they have no hairs. Stout, round, green stems rise above the leaves.

Flowers bloom from April to May, though Chicago also lists March. Each upright raceme bears hanging bells around the stem. A stem may carry 12–15 flowers. Blue and lavender shades predominate, with pink and white also reported. The flowers lack scent and have blue anthers. Six separate tepals spread without curling back at their tips. Round green capsules follow the flowers in summer. Each capsule holds 5–30 round, black seeds. The leaves fade before the plant rests in early summer.

Grow it in moist soil that drains well. It prefers partial shade but tolerates both sun and deep shade. Sandy soil suits it well; avoid clay without soil improvement. Sources list acid, neutral, and alkaline soils as suitable. Plant bulbs in autumn, then divide crowded clumps during dormancy. Garden sources give USDA zones 3–8 and RHS rating H6. Use it at woodland edges, beneath deciduous trees, or in borders. It also suits rock gardens, pots, and cut-flower beds. Butterflies visit the flowers.

Bulb offsets and seeds help the plant spread into colonies. It can become weedy and needs control where it escapes. RHS notes legal limits on wild planting in Ireland. It can cross with English bluebells when grown nearby. Sources report few serious pest or disease problems. Dying leaves may look untidy before they vanish. All sources on safety warn against eating the plant. It harms people and pets, and ingestion may be fatal. Its cardiac glycosides can cause gut symptoms and slow the heartbeat. Handling can also irritate sensitive skin; RHS advises wearing gloves.