The Flower Writer

  • About Me
  • My Roots
  • The Flower Writer
  • Blog
  • Fairy Gardens
  • Talks and Events

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

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp

2 Comments

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.

ebook

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

« Passion in a Flower
Poppy – A Flower of Contradictions »

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

Please leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello

My name is Ruth Goudy. I write regularly on social media and I would love you to join the conversation. Flowers are here to be enjoyed and shared. I always appreciate comments on my blogs and posts. Maybe it is a certain flower's meaning to you, a memory of your relatives talking about flowers or even a poem to share. All of it is interesting and important to our enjoyment and understanding of flowers. Thank you.
Read More…

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.

ebook

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

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Instagram

Thank you to the Horticulture Trades Association f Thank you to the Horticulture Trades Association for our new national garden gift voucher facemasks!
This year will mark our 20th year of marriage and 20 years of building a nursery from scatch into the garden centre it is today @kilnfarm.
These sempervivum are plugs the size of my thumbna These sempervivum are plugs the size of my thumbnail.
They are waiting to be potted up.
Rosemary for Remembrance. In my latest blog I look Rosemary for Remembrance.
In my latest blog I look at how plants evoke precious memories. I am so fortunate to have met many wonderful customers @kilnfarm and over the years many of them have become friends.
Link in bio.
Today, while counting perennials for the stocktake Today, while counting perennials for the stocktake @kilnfarm, I was rewarded by finding this beautiful anemone. It was nestling unobtrusively among the perennials, most of which are still bare pots.
The alliums are just poking tentative shoots above The alliums are just poking tentative shoots above the earth.
I am so looking forward to seeing them in full flower in the warmth and bright light of summer.
Alliums are examples of flowers that make us feel good because there is a mathematical perfection about them. Each floret is symmetrical and they all join up to form a perfect sphere.
I am a nursery owner and a writer. This year lockd I am a nursery owner and a writer.
This year lockdown zoom calls and membership of @gdnmediaguild has meant that I have had a chance to consider my photos more carefully.
Thank you @joewainwrightphotography @julieskeltonphoto and @dilstonphysicgarden for the opportunity to learn some basic principles. Here I am attempting to work with light.
Follow on Instagram
Copyright © 2021 Ruth Goudy · Privacy Policy

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.

ebook

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

Cookies

This site uses cookies: Find out more.