We bought Bluebell bulbs three years ago, but they have never flowered? Any ideas why and what I can do?

Question

The bulbs were planted in groups, on a slope, 1000 feet up on Exmoor, in and around newly planted Oak, Beech and Ash Trees. The soil is neutral to acid, very well draining. The bulbs produce leaves each year, but no flowers.

Answer 1

Take them back to the shop!

Answer 2

Books I've consulted insist squills do not tolerate dark dry locations, but others are just as adamant that it is a classic shade bloomer. The discrepancy may be a product of differing needs in different zones. In my temperate Zone 8, which surprisingly enough stands at the top-end of their heat tolerances, they naturalized in shady areas with little or no watering. In colder zones, like the moor, they might want a lot more sun.
You have planted with trees. Both oak and beech tend to hold their leaves til February thus keeping light from the bulbs.
These trees are big bullies who want all the food, water and light. The roots must be kept clear of the Spring flowering bulbs because they will always win the battle for food, water and space. When you planted did you amend the soil? The addition of the soil amendments will help raise the soil surface and increase the all important drainage as well as remove competing tree roots.

You are saying just bluebells but there are several varieties. Hyacinthoides non-scripta, the English bluebells or blue squill, is synonymous with Scilla non-scripta & formerly called Endymion non-scriptus, Scilla campanulata, & Scilla nutans. English Bluebells have their flowers in March & are mostly spent at the end of April. These might tolerate the trees with enough light, drainage, and organic material to feed them.

Spanish bluebells is the tallest & last of the scillas to bloom, H. hispanica. These bloom in late April & most especially in May. These will not have a chance to bloom before the trees leaf so should be out near the foliage drip line where the sun can reach them.

Scilla sibirica, Siberian squill start early enough they get their flowers out before the trees leaf out, so do better under trees but still prefer sun for 6 hours.

Answer 3

I would dig them up and see if the bulbs needed to be split up and then replant them but not too deeply!

Answer 4

the bulbs were either planted too deep or you need to add bulb fertilizer to the ground.

Answer 5

My snail pinatas ate them and mated so now I have lots of snail pinatas.

Answer 6

were they upside down?..lol