I've had a busy but good week. Still no rain so lots of watering to be done. I did a plant sale at the weekend so managed to offload plenty of things for other people to look after. It is still a marathon task here though with many things at the tiny seedling stage. The ground is now solid so planting is getting harder and it's imperative to remember what has been planted out and re-visit. I'm not expecting sympathy from those in dry climates who have it much worse, just surprise, this is England, after all!
I have one clump of these Spanish bluebells. The rest in the garden are all English, as are the ones in the wood up the lane from here.
I've been thinking about digging up the bulbs so they don't cross with the English ones. Today it was off with their heads so I could enjoy them in a vase. I possibly should have seared the stems first but if they droop I'll do it then. They have a slightly odd smell so I hope it doesn't become unpleasant.
I think I'll dig them up. What would you do?
For interesting and creative vases from around the world, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden - In a vase on Monday.
They do look lovely in a vase but yes, I would dig them out. I have a few of them whoch have appeared at the bottom of the gaden, well away from the English ones I have planted, but it would be so easy just to ignore them and in time who knows what they would get up to!
ReplyDeleteI only have this one clump, so I think I will.
DeleteThey do look lovely, even if they won't last long in a vase. Yes, I would dig them out too if I was in the UK. Here in southern Germany only Spanish ones are available and do not grow in the wild anyway. I have a small clump which will be cut for a vase soon! :)
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be well behaved just now but I should try and help preserve the English ones, if that is even possible.
DeleteWe got rain this weekend, which is extraordinary for us in May - maybe Mother Nature sent us yours by mistake? She is really confused these days, not that I'm complaining about the unexpected shower in this instance. I hope you get rain soon. Out dry conditions control the spread of Spanish bluebells here - in fact, all of those I planted my first year here are long gone without my doing anything.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the sunshine and being outside without wondering what the weather will do. I worry that when it starts to rain it won't stop! It seems to be odd all over though.
DeleteThe bluebells are delightful. If you think you'll ever want to remove the Spanish type, it's probably easier to do it now. I tend to wait too long...then it's hard to manage tasks like this.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a large clump so it may not be that easy but I'll have a go. I'd planned to move a clump of snowdrops earlier but didn't. Someone (!) has mown over them now and I can't quite see where they are. I hope I can find them but I should have done it at the time!
DeleteThey are beautiful, but the bees will cross pollinate them and thus endanger the English bluebells. Best to dig them!
ReplyDeleteI think so, I've just found some more under a hedge so that might be more tricky but I'll have a go.
DeleteSuch a beautiful colour Alison! Beheading them seems an excellent start but perhaps digging them up might prove more of a fatal blow. Hopefully some rain is on the cards for most of us this weekend - the slugs and snails must be chomping at the bit with excitement.
ReplyDeleteThey are out in force already after a few days of rain.
DeleteSuch pretty thugs the Spanish Bluebells. Dig them up! I made the mistake of leaving a few in my garden and they've taken over. Each year, I dig, cut, and torture the things but they somehow continue to thrive.
ReplyDeleteP.S. do not put any of the bulbs in your compost bin or any flowers that might develop seed. Don't ask me how I know.
ReplyDeleteDuly noted.
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