Our native Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) is mostly a woodlander -as seen here in Wain Wood- but this is a species that can adapt to circumstances. As noted in my entry on Sunday I walked from Wain Wood to West Wood which has a large area of conifer plantation carpeted with Bluebells. 

 The plantation must be modern but the Bluebell population ancient given how prolific they are. Most likely an area of ancient woodland was cleared sometime in the twentieth century. A section on the north side of West Wood appears to be a fragment of the original tree cover.

 Conifers were planted en masse after the First World War in "unproductive" woods and open land to restore the country's timber reserves. In the case of West Wood it seems the Bluebells survived this transition. 

 My route from Wain to West Wood was via Tatmore Hills Lane (a muddy track) where the hedgebanks were brimming with Bluebells. The open fields on either side were probably created by tree felling centuries ago. It was a common practice to retain a sliver of original woodland to form a boundary rather than plant a hedge. This would explain the presence of so many Bluebells and other woodland wildflowers all along the lane.

 Beyond the lane I followed the footpath to West Wood which follows the boundary between two huge arable fields. It was lined with Bluebells growing in open ground. Probably they are the last vestige of a hedgerow that is gone which was the last vestige of a wood that is gone. Nonetheless the Bluebells persist.