Wonderful Wahlenbergia

Throughout the warmer months, native Bluebells or Wahlenbergia, are a lovely indigenous wildflower you'll spot along the creek. These little beauties bring a vibrant pop of electric blue to the understorey and make great garden plants. Their distinctive star-shaped flowers are a favourite for our smaller native bees.

Here's how to recognise the main species you can find along the Merri and in local nature strips:

Tufted Bluebells (Wahlenbergia capillaris, also known as W. communis)

Grows in dense clumps, with narrow leaves that alternate either side of the stem. Its flowers are about 20 mm wide. 

Sprawling Bluebells (Wahlenbergia gracilis)

Similar to Tufted Bluebells, but much smaller flowers - around 6 mm wide.

Bronze Bluebells (Wahlenbergia luteola)

Very similar to Tufted Bluebells, but has a bronze-yellow underside to its flowers. 

Tall Bluebells (Wahlenbergia stricta)

Largest flowers up to 30 mm wide and leaves in pairs directly opposite each other on the stems.

Next time you notice those little blue stars, take a closer look to check for native bees and have a go at recognising our local Wahlenbergias!

All photographs credit J. Duyvestyn