As reported earlier this year the bluebells at Struan Farm have started to take over in the Homestead gardens. John, who previously was protective of them given that they were one of his mum's favourite flowers, gave me a directive to get them under control. All I will say on this score is "ahem," since I remember warning him about them years ago. Perhaps also "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir?"
And so last spring and summer I dug them out of the main gardens to the extent I was able. Some were saved for sister-in-law Anna, who has visions of a guerilla gardening effort with them somewhere in her area. Many went off to the burn pile. I'm confident they will crop up again in spring despite my best efforts, but in lesser numbers. It's like most invasive or weedy things, a progression. One that requires a consistent campaign over time. And realistic expectations.
Now it is time for me to tackle their numbers in our roadside wooded garden at the main entrance. They have started to strangle out the tulips and daffodils entirely, and we can't have that. I'm finding it's somewhat easier to dig them out in autumn, raking off the leaf mulch in the garden tends to expose them. In numbers! One cluster has 20+ bulbs of various sizes, so you can gauge the extent of the problem (and work involved).
The important thing here is I'm making a dent. That's my mantra and I'm sticking to it. I'm also wondering what Rosemary would think about it. I know what Maurie would say!
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