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Bluebells, Bluebells!!!
April Jones
Posts: 6
in Plants
I live near the coast with a garden that has a large section of Sycamore trees. Underneath this I have thousands and thousands of bluebells. When these finish the nettle and borage takes over- a great haven for insect life. I love the bluebells and don't want to tame the area too much but want to establish some all year round ground cover. Does anyone have suggestions for plants that can live happily with the huge bluebell population which is dominant at this time of year?
0
Posts
Hello April. It sounds like the area is pretty perfect as it is. What about adding some wild garlic, which traditionally grows with bluebells, and will provide ground cover from early spring to autumn.
Kate
Hi Kate,
Thank you for your reply. This is just the sort of info I need. I want to keep it as natural as possible but just need something to replace the bluebells when they die down.
I agree that bluebells do look a bit untidy when they die. Mine grow under sweet chestnuts. Eventually the catkins fall (August?) and cover the bluebells with yellow (turning brown) then comes autumn.
When I first took on the garden, Nature complemented the bluebells with brambles and bracken. I cleared these. Now I am adding native ferms, mostly female fern.
My shade is very dry, if yours is damper youwill have a bigger choice.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Just seen the original date of the post, so I doubt if the OP will still be following.
For Helen: Yours is a different problem. What have you got in your borders competing with the bluebells & muscari?
Where bluebells are inmy borders, I find that most hardy geraniums will cover them. Leaving dying leaves and seedheads that can be tidied away by hand.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."