Bellevalia is a genus in the Hyacinthaceae family. There are about 50 species in the genus from Europe and the Middle East. Most are brown flowered. Only a small handful of the species are really attractive. They show the best of the blue shades available in the bulb world and are very striking. Species in the past have been included in Muscari or Hyacinthus. They are generally easy to cultivate. They are not constricted at the mouth like Muscari. Bellevalia was the subject of the PBS list topic of the week April 2004. Alberto Castillo supplied the Introduction
Bellevalia dubia is a Mediterranean species with flowers that are blue in bud and turn brownish as they open. It blooms in early spring. Photos by Bob Rutemoeller and Mary Sue Ittner.
Bellevalia forniculata a snowmelt species from alpine meadows in Turkey. Slow to mature in cultivation, and should not be dried out too severely in summer. Its habitat is similar to that of Iris missouriensis in North America. Photo 1 was taken by Arnold Trachtenberg, photo 2 by Jane McGary, and photo 3 by Mary Sue Ittner.
Bellevalia longipes from Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq blooms mid spring. It has brownish lavender flowers on long pedicels. Photo by John Lonsdale.
Bellevalia longistyla is native to eastern Turkey, Iran and the Caucasus in mountains and steppes. The pedicels are long in flower and become even longer in seed. Photo by Jane McGary
Bellevalia pycnantha is native from Turkey through the Caucasus and is one of the more widely available species in cultivation. The very dark flowers are typical. Plants sold commercially under this name are lighter blue than the photographed plant, which was grown from Turkish seed. Easily cultivated in well-drained soil. Photo by Jane McGary
Bellevalia romana is from Southern Europe. The flowers are a creamy white fading to brown, dull violet, or brownish green. It has blue-black anthers. It may be one of the easier species to grow and looks better when it first opens than when it is fading. Photos from Mary Sue Ittner.
