Nature Hills Gardening Community

My Bluebells have now wilted and I suppose, it's time to do some work in the garden now. I am thinking of digging the whole patch and that involves, digging up all those randomly growing Bluebell bulbs. There are hundreds of them, but I don't want to waste them. Is there any way, I could keep and store the bulbs, so I can re-plant them for next year..? Preferably in a more organized manner. Can anyone tell me, how to prepare them and store them, so I can enjoy them again next spring? When should I re-plant them?

Maria,

I don't have an answer regarding storing bluebells but I'm wondering if you can plant something else that is a perennial that comes on this time of year? I wish I knew more about your part of the world, I feel somewhat helpless.

Hi Jeff. I have just found out, that the Bluebells I praised so much, are Spanish Bluebells, which are actually classed as a nuisance, because they overcrowd the garden and deminish the existance of the native Bluebells. Nevertheless, they looked absolutely gorgeous when they were in flower...so many of them... I have spent the last couple of days, digging my garden and collected as many Bluebell bulbs as I could....phew...it's been hard work. The ground is rock hard and the bulbs are fairly deep under....a real job, digging them up. Now that I've collected them, I'm not sure what do do with them. Do I keep them or do I discard them.....? I don't wish to encourage the demise of the native Bluebell... Well, I will have to get more information on the subject before I do anything else...

Maria, I have never heard of anyone digging up Spanish Bluebells and storing them. I tried to do a little research for you but could not come up with an answer. I do know if you try and store them make sure the bulbs have airflow. I will call some of my colleagues to see if they can help us.

Hi Jeff,

I know it might sound like a lot of effort wasted to try and dig them all up, but they are covering the whole garden. I would like to grow different plants and therefore I thought I would clear the ground as best as I can. It has proven to be more difficult than I thought.... My mum is a very keen gardener and she has given me some advice on how to store bulbs. She said to dig them up with the leaves still intact and to store them in a well ventilated, dry place. She also said, if the leaves are left intact, they will feed the bulbs and give them a last squirt of important nourishment, before drying. So that's what I'll do. I'm not sure about re-planting them, if they are believed to endanger the native species. Apparently the bees cross-pollinate Spanish Bluebells and native Bluebells and therefore risk the existance of the natives. I will look into it further and keep you posted on this subject. Meanwhile, if you could find out more from your colleagues, I would be very grateful.