Getting rid of bluebells.

[heathfield]

For sure, bluebells look wonderful in my flowerbed, and people steal them from woodlands because they're so attractive - but the ones that insist on growing in the cracks in my paving are driving me nuts!

Does anyone know of a method of eradicating them? They seem to thrive on every type of weedkiller, salt, boiling water, etc, I apply, and I'm sure they're one of these plants where a tiny sliver left in the ground develops into a new plant, and away they go again. Anyone?

[Thunderbird+]

You could try a systemic weedkiller that contains the active ingrediant Glyphosate. I supect you may have already tried this but repeated applications should do the trick.

I'm surprised bluebells are so hard to eradicate, its not Chinadoxa is it ?

[Lonnie]

When I get plants growing through cracks in the path, I use Potassium Chloride, it kills the earth underneath for around three years, this stuff is lethal, and not to be used if you have any cats or dogs, I had Mint growing through, and that was the only product that did the trick.

[gessoo]

True British bluebells are becoming quite rare as the Spanish ones (sold in Garden Centres) take over. Personally, I love to see plants growing in places they shouldn't be like patios (opportunist plants!). Spanish bluebells have a much stiffer stem and generally larger and are more hardy and are taking over some of our woodlands. Therefore, if they are Spanish, zap them!!

[WendyS]

I sympathise as I've tried to dig up a batch of bluebells which were invading part of my vegetable patch. I threw the leaves on the compost heap and the bulbs in the dustbin. Even so, it seems that even the tiniest sliver of bulb remaining can regenerate itself as I'm still getting new bluebells spring up wherever I've spread my compost. I wonder if a strong solution of Jeyes Fluid would finish them off.? It certainly helps to remove lichen and moss from my patio slabs and tarmac drive.

[heathfield]

Thanks for the answers, guys. Yes, bluebells are the world's worst to kill off. I have Spanish bluebells as far as I can tell - no perfume. I've got two clumps of Chinadoxa that appeared from nowhere a couple of years ago, and I've left them 'cos they're quite pretty and don't seem to be spreading much.

I've tried Roundup, and bluebells seem to thrive on it! Maybe a daily application is the answer. Roundup works through the leaf and is neutralized on touching the soil. But Jeyes Fluid burns everything, including seeds, and so can be used to sterilise soil. I think you can't use the soil for plants for about six weeks after application.

Lonnie - Don't worry about Potassium Chloride, it's not as bad as you think. The salt alternative 'LoSalt' is made up of 66% of the stuff! And when it's used as a water softener, your pets can safely drink the water.

Thanks again!