Spanish bluebells / veg. beds - wwyd?

[Trix]

Hi, I wasn't sure where to put this query - hope it's ok here. Short query: is it ok to plant (leafy) veg in ground where there are spanish bluebells? I believe they are very poisonous - is this likely to affect veg. grown near them?

Long query: I'd love to know what others would do with this area and/or whether anyone has had success in getting rid of spanish bluebells? I have slowly been picking them out of various beds I want to use for veg, etc. I have one area which has been cleared on top (and I intend to dig it over a little) but I haven't had a big bulb purge there and I fully expect the bluebells to return next year.

The patch is next to a wall and has a tall rose and a bushy fuschia and is located right next to my (newly placed) compost heap. I had though of using the patch for flowers/bee attractors in the future and plan to put a comfrey, borage, calendula, foxglove and maybe a honeysuckle there. I don't know whether to get going with this or wait and tackle the bluebells again first (I guess I'll need to wait until they show their heads again next spring?)

I'm also wondering if the ground is likely to be ok for veg? I have a few extra kale plants that I could really use the space for! I've also planted a squash near the compost but am pretty sure it's going to succumb to slugs

I'd actually love some advice on my whole garden plot as I have so many questions - would it be ok to upload a pic. for some opinions?

[Kirk]

Generally it is the bulbs that are poisionous and they do nothing to the ground. There is an exception like rhodendrons that secrete a sustance into the soild to prevent other plants growing.

So as long as you don't eat the bluebell bulbs I cannot see a problem.

As it happens daffodils are also poisionous, if eaten, but no one has a problem with them. Romans used to use them when collegues were badly wounded and in pain.

[veggiechicken]

Just keep on digging out the bulbs as you come across them - and snip off the flowers before they can set seed.

I'd actually love some advice on my whole garden plot as I have so many questions - would it be ok to upload a pic. for some opinions?

By all means put up some pics or a plan of your plot and we'll all throw in our opinions!! Tell us where North is and where the shady spots are too.

[Trix]

Thank you both. I was a little worried as I've chopped some bulbs while digging there today - I've removed plenty of half-bulbs! I'll pop up a pic.

[Penellype]

A few years ago I moved into a house with a veg garden overrun with convolvulus, ground elder and bluebells amongst other things. I must admit that (apart from under the gooseberries and asparagus) the convolvulus and ground elder were easier to get rid of, probably because they grow back faster so you get more chances to find and remove the bits you've missed. I also left some bluebells (along with star of bethlehem, which was also running wild) under the apple trees. I never suffered any ill effects from eating veg grown amongst the bluebells.

[Trix]

That's good to know, thank you! I am going to leave some bluebells as I do like them but I have to remove some in self defence . If they'll coexist happily with my veg and other plants then I'll be happy.

[Snadger]

I have white and purple varients of bluebells in my garden. Are these what you mean by 'Spanish bluebells'?

[Trix]

Spanish bluebells, as I understand it, are the larger variety which are often used in gardens - they have a tall flower stem which flowers all around (as opposed to the English Bluebells which droop over to one side). The Spanish bluebells are invasive and cross pollinate with the natives.

Pics here: Native Bluebell versus Spanish Bluebells | The Enduring Gardener and here BBC News - Bluebells: The survival battle of Britain's native bluebells

Bear in mind I've only learned this from t'internet in the last couple of months - I've always loved bluebells but have only ever seen them (the English ones) in shaded woodland areas so I looked them up when I found my sunny garden was covered in them.

[Two_Sheds]

spanish bluebells? I believe they are very poisonous

only if you eat them

[Trix]

Spare kale and broccolli plants going in today - thanks all!