OVER the last 50 years the bluebell has had its share of problems.

Firstly, the academic botanists have kept changing the name of the flower -- hopefully they will now stick to Hyacinthoides non-scripta, but you never know!

If ever a plant could be regarded as truly British then it must be the bluebell. It loves our warm, wet climate and up to 50 per cent of the world's population is found here.

So-called professional bluebell pickers have been stealing bulbs in recent years.

Those caught stealing them can be fined up to £1,000, but sadly this sum will not even dent their profits.

Now another threat to our native bluebell has appeared on the scene. This comes from the Spanish bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispanica) which can be purchased in some garden centres. Unfortunately this hybridises with the native species to produce a very fertile sub-species called Hyacinthoides variabilis.

Some (but thankfully not all) garden centres do not tell purchasers that the bulbs are Spanish bluebells. You should therefore always ask about the origins before buying them.

The Spanish bluebell is paler and the flowers are found all along the stem and not just on one side. They have no scent and the leaves are broader.

To fight for our native bluebells, we must look after them and report organised thieves. There is a Wildlife Trust Bluebell hotline on 0870 036 7711. Also, talk seriously to your garden centre before buying any bulbs.