A Good Fridays trip to the Forest of the Blue Flowers

[Gerdk]

At Good Friday I made a trip to the ' Wald der Blauen Blumen '  (Forest of othe Blue Flowers) which is situated between Baal and Doveren near Hückelhoven and not far from the border to the Netherlands.
While Hyacinthoides non-scripta isn't rare further west and over the channel this place is the unique indigenious occurence of the bluebell here in Germany. Because of its great botanical value the whole site is protected and in order to encourage the survival and the expansion of these gems the woods were kept free of brambles annually.
Most parts of the population seems to be 'clean' - with the exception of
a small section near Doveren which is bordering to some gardens.

Gerd

[Gerdk]

--- the rest

Gerd

[Hans A.]

Thanks for the trip Gerd, did not know there are native bluebells in Germany! Every day I learn something new in this marvellous forum!

[Paddy Tobin]

Gerd,

It certainly is a beautiful place and deserves to be preserved. Lovely to see it, Many thanks. Paddy

[David Nicholson]

Thanks for taking us on the visit Gerd.

[Armin]

Gerd,
very interesting place. I thought Hyacinthoides non-scripta is growing in more moist conditions and is a species of typical riverside forests.
Here they seem to be happy under beeches...

[Gerdk]

Thanks for kind remarks!

Armin: I found the species at two occasions - both places were not especially moist!

Gerd

[cohan]

Very nice! Does anything else grow under the trees when the bluebells are done?

[Gerdk]

Thanks Cohan!

Does anything else grow under the trees when the bluebells are done?

An interesting question.
I believe nothing - but I'm not sure. Too far from my home to have a second look.

Gerd

[cohan]

I understand, even some close places I don't get back to throughout the season to see what's happening!

[Gerdk]

I understand, even some close places I don't get back to throughout the season to see what's happening!

Cohan, I always forget that the feeling for distances depends on the country where you live. From here to Baal are around 100 km - maybe this is not so far for someone from a larger country.
Unfortunately the region around there isn't especially attractive - only big holes because of brown coal mining - nothing what would inspire me for a further trip.
Nevertheless I must admit that your question awoke my interest.

Gerd

[vivienr]

Lovely pictures, Gerd.
Our little bluebell wood is on a steep slope so it is not as easy to get into and take pictures.
I find that the decaying bluebell leaves form a thick mat which smothers most emerging weeds apart from some oat grass and tree seedlings. The leaf canopy (which has opened quickly this year) of oak and sycamore blocks out most of the light so there is not much chance of anything else growing. I expect beech would let in more light. Brambles are only a problem at the woodland edge.

We have a few white ones scattered about but I have never seen a pink one here. Hybrids are a problem on the edge near neighbours' gardens and I try to remove the flowers.

[cohan]

Good details Vivien This habitat is unlike anything in my region, so its always fascinating to me

Gerd--100km one way? Its not faaar but not close either! Especially if there is nothing else there/on the way... There's an area I have wanted to get to that should have wild Pulsatilla patens, might be  a similar distance or maybe somewhat more, and you still need the time and gas money to make such a trip! The nearest city (90,000) is about 60km one way, and we usually go there once or twice in 2 weeks... Work is 30km each way..

[ranunculus]

Our local display in Healey Dell, just half a mile from our house.  Blue, white and pink in the display.

[cohan]

Splendid! I think mixed colours is even more fun...