In article , Spidey
writes
About five years ago a friend gave me some excess bluebells which were
taking over her garden. I planted a clump at the base of each tree in
our orchard.

This year one of the clumps has pink flowers. It is planted at the base
of a Bramley which has never been healthy - it grows a few leaves at the
end of each branch, but never flowers.

I am suspecting there is a localised problem with the soil. All the
other trees are doing fine and all have blue bluebells underneath. Any
suggestions what the problem might be?

By the way, I am aware that there are naturally occurring pink
bluebells, but my friend is sure she has never had any, and these ones
have flowered blue in the past.

I'm not aware of environmental conditions that change the flower colour
of bluebells. pH affects flower colour of Hydrangea, but I don't think
the same happens in bluebells.

About 5 years is long enough for seeds to have come to maturity, and
these could be pink even if the parents weren't. Or small bulbs that are
flowering for the first time. Are you 100% certain that it is a change
of colour, and not just a bulbs flowering for the first time?

Which bluebell do you have? The spanish bluebell, and the
english/spanish hybrid, are more likely to throw pink flowers. See
Plantlife's on-line identifier:

http://www.plantlife.org.uk/bluebell/home.htm

--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm