True blue

 

There are Bluebells and there are Bluebells, and these are our native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), the English Bluebell. In the forest they don't grow as densely as you'll often see them in other woods, no carpets as such here, in the forest their presence is more understated, loosely spread clusters to isolated individuals; here amongst the ancient stands of Studley Wood, at the far north-east corner of the New Forest. They're a beautiful little flower, a bell shaped flower with deep violet blue petals and upturned tips, all delicate and dainty like. Don't think about bothering them, they're a protected plant, and not just by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, no, they're under the protection of a higher authority, it's said that if you trample or pick a Bluebell flower you'll have the Fairies to answer to. You don't want that.