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Bluebells and their Meanings

Nature· Wildflower

7 May

It was Keats who named the bluebell ‘Sapphire queen of the mid-May’ in his poem ‘Fancy’ 1818. Two hundred years later, as we entered May, the bluebells have certainly been magnificent. I have been watching them gradually unfurl and by the first bank holiday, May Day, they were full of regal splendour. When I see the bluebells en masse in the woods I feel a sense of rejoicing. In his expression of the Language of Flowers, written in 1869, Robert Tyas wrote that the bluebell represented kindness. However, I believe that the bluebell holds far greater significance for many of us. I asked ‘followers’ on Facebook to comment about their beliefs and was very grateful for all their heartfelt replies.

Bluebells and Memories

Whenever I think of bluebells I think of memories and connections to loved ones, especially Grandparents. Many people mentioned their parents and grandparents and connections to special events. One person talked about how their grandmother had bluebells in her wedding bouquet. It was really moving that several people shared that they had scattered their parent’s ashes in a bluebell wood. What an uplifting place to say your final goodbyes and be laid to rest and how reassuring it must be to go and visit that place every year and know that a loved one is at peace amongst the bluebells. I am a firm believer that when we see a flower that had special meaning to a loved one then, for an instant, we are with them again. Memories come flooding back and it is a moment to connect with them. It is an amazing and healing power that flowers have.

 

Heavenly Bluebells

In a bluebell wood I often feel entranced. Time stands still. As I look at the blue flowers on the floor of the wood it seems that they are reflecting the hazy blue of the sky above and I am transported to a heavenly world. One Facebook writer commented that the wood is a sanctuary, another described it as a Cathedral. I would agree. The solid trunks of the trees are like columns, the lofty green leaves and branches arching like the high vaulted ceiling and the birdsong like a choral accompaniment. Once again, the sense of peace, of timelessness, within a place of worship pervades. What better setting to be thankful for our blessings than in nature’s Church?

Fairy Flowers

I cannot talk about bluebells without mentioning fairies. Bluebells are so often called fairy flowers. Some people believe that the dainty petals form perfect fairy hats, others that they are fairy thimbles. It has been said that fairies climb inside the bells to shelter from the rain. Other people say that the bluebells are rung to summon fairies to a meeting. I find it very easy to accept that fairies would dance and play in such a beautiful place. All I know is that I always ask the fairies’ permission before I enter a bluebell wood and I certainly whisper a ‘thank you’ as I leave.

Ruth Goudy

The Flower Writer

 

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Comments

  1. Marianne says

    June 23, 2020 at 2:18 pm

    I 💖 this description of Bluebells and Fairies, thank you, it’s made my day more special. Marianne

    Reply
    • Ruth Goudy says

      June 26, 2020 at 5:55 pm

      Thank you for taking time to read it Marianne.

      Reply

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Hello

My name is Ruth Goudy.
I am a professional garden writer and speaker. I have run a nursery and garden centre for twenty years with my husband and this inspires me to share the joy I feel when I am around nature and flowers. I am on social media and Youtube and would love you to follow me. I believe flowers are good for our wellbeing and the more people that are involved in the conversation about it the better!
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Download my free ebook ‘How to connect with the Flowers’ here.

You will also receive newsletters so that you are the first to hear about talks and events, are notified when I publish flower blogs or YouTube videos and find out what is going on in the world of plants and horticulture.

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Snowdrops on candlemas day. You can read my blog a Snowdrops on candlemas day.
You can read my blog all about why snowdrops are significant on 2nd February in my blog in the link in my bio. 
The white symbolises the purity as Mary makes her way to the temple after the birth of Jesus on this day. There are many other meanings and stories behind this precious flower that entrance me. I am delighted to be including the snowdrop as one of the flowers in my Flower Oracle Cards out later this year. 
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And if anyone wonders why I am not good at walking down hillsides this is why. Proof that Suffolk is as flat as they say. 
#wonderfullife #bluesky #Suffolk #walking #vitaminD #nature #wellbeing #sunshine
This Escallonia was another rogue flower at the sh This Escallonia was another rogue flower at the show. Completely out of season but obviously attention seeking! 😉
It worked for me! 
One of my favourites for a medium evergreen hedge that flowers.
Living my best life with my husband. Visiting pla Living my best life with my husband. 
Visiting plant shows helps inspire us, consider what our customers @kilnfarmnursery are looking for and take a look at new plants and ways of displaying plants on the nursery. 
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At a plant show today and Cheryl's Shine was a win At a plant show today and Cheryl's Shine was a winner for me.
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We had polytunnel envy @ballcolegrave today lookin We had polytunnel envy @ballcolegrave today looking at their shrub liner nursery. Thank you for the invite @steve_m_austin 
@kilnfarmnursery will certainly be growing some of these shrubs this year. Lovely to see the peat free working well too.
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Download my free ebook ‘How to connect with the Flowers’

You will also receive newsletters so that you are the first to hear about talks and events, are notified when I publish flower blogs or YouTube videos and find out what is going on in the world of plants and horticulture.

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You will receive an email with a link to download my ebook in your welcome email.