Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Alba'
White Spanish Bluebells
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Height
- 12 to 18 in
- Width
- 6 to 9 in
- Flower color
- Pure white, bell-shaped flowers held on upright stems
- Foliage color
- Medium green, narrow strap-shaped leaves
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate moisture
- Maintenance
- Low, allow foliage to yellow and die back naturally after flowering, divide clumps if overcrowded
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Bees and other spring pollinators
About this plant
Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Alba' produces upright stems bearing open, bell-shaped flowers in pure white, arranged in loose, graceful clusters. Blooming in mid to late spring, the blossoms rise above narrow, glossy green leaves that form tidy clumps at the base. The lightly scented flowers face outward, creating a bright, airy effect that lasts several weeks as spring transitions toward early summer.
Native to the Iberian Peninsula, this white-flowering selection has long been cultivated in European gardens. It works well in borders, woodland settings, and naturalized areas, where it weaves easily among spring bulbs and early perennials. 'Alba' also performs reliably beneath deciduous trees and along garden paths, providing soft seasonal color before summer growth fills in.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Woodland Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Tulips · Astilbes · Foxgloves · Bergenias
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
