The native bluebell - save a national treasure

The bluebell is one of Scotland's favourite flowers, but it is fast becoming an endangered species due to hybridisation (interbreeding with foreign species of bluebells) and its preferred habitat disappearing.

And with support from British Waterways Scotland, National Trust Scotland, Woodland Trust Scotland and Plant Life, CSFT plans to save the national treasure, boosting the number of bluebells growing in central Scotland by over 25,000 in the next year. To start the campaign 10,000 bluebell bulbs will be given away at The Falkirk Wheel on Monday 7 April.

Simon Rennie, chief executive of CSFT, said: "This beautiful plant is found in woodland but, worryingly, much of this ideal habitat has been destroyed as a result of land use changes and developments.

"These factors, and the invasion of the hybrid and Spanish varieties, have all contributed to the decline of the native species. Something needs to be done, and CSFT has taken up the cause."

The bluebell is an important part of Scotland's natural heritage

Olivia Lassiere, heritage and environment manager for British Waterways Scotland said: "British Waterways is committed to sustainable environmental management and we actively promote and encourage practical conservation initiatives on our network. Scotland's canals are a haven for a wide variety of plant life and the mature woodlands and hedgerows along them provide perfect conditions for native flowers such as the bluebell. We fully support this CSFT campaign as the bluebell is an important part of Scotland's natural heritage and the woodland areas surrounding the Falkirk Wheel are an excellent place to start your hunt for this stunning plant."

The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating arm with gondolas at either end which turns like the sails of a windmill lifting and lowering boats from one level to another, joining the Forth & Clyde and Union canals. Situated in a natural amphitheatre, it is the only structure of its kind in the world and visitors can see it in action on a special boat trip. Further information can be found on The Falkirk Wheel website.

To stem the decline, CSFT aims to increase awareness of this issue in communities throughout Scotland by promoting the bluebells' plight and raising funds to plant them.

The environmental charity has also introduced a text mechanism which will allow supporters to donate £3 towards planting 10 bluebells by texting ‘bluebells’ to 82540.

Members of the public will also be encouraged to search and record the locations of all varieties, send in photographs, help plant bulbs at organised events and even receive free bulbs to plant themselves.