Well, Well, A "Bluebell Dell"

I found myself a bit amused a few days ago reading about the appeal of "Bluebell Dells" on NZ Gardener Magazine's Facebook page. This was after I'd spent two days pulling bluebells up and out around the Homestead gardens at Struan Farm, where they are taking over. My poor tulips were losing the battle against rampant bluebells at our main entrance, something had to be done. I also looked around the various beds and discovered them everywhere. It was, well, bluebell hell. So trailer loads of tops and bulbs went off the burn pile. Don't worry, some are left and will undoubtedly keep spreading around the place for years to come.

Unbeknowst to me, people rave about the English woods with their bluebell dells. I had no idea! Here we've got our very own dell in Piopio and I'm trying to contain it rather than encourage it. John's mum Rosemary loved her bluebells, so we will always have some. I just don't want them taking over, and they've been trying to do just that (along with onion weed and Japanese anemone, other garden enemies of mine).

What I did learn from all this is that there are several types of bluebells. The most common ones here in NZ are "Spanish Bluebells," Hyacinthoides hispanica. The traditional English bluebell is Hyacinthoides non-scripta. We also have pink and white cultivars.

Comments

[Michelle Bishop adventures]

I love your photos Karen. My fiance and I are going to plant a small bluebell dell on his farm in rememberance of my Nan, but sounds like we'll need need to pick a spot well away from other plants and keep it contained.