Knowledgebase
Wind Flowers #388074
Asked March 09, 2017, 11:47 AM EST
Ornithogalum umbellatum has spread throughout our yard and beds since I improperly ignored the warning about this many years ago. They are somewhat hard to dig up..
Can you recommend a way to get rid of them?
Thank you for your help.
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Ornithogalum umbellatum, star of bethlehem is often planted as an ornamental, and has escaped cultivation, due to its aggressive growth habit. https://oak.ppws.vt.edu/~flessner/weedguide/otgum.htm
Your best option is to dig up the bulbs using a sharp spade. The plant multiplies from producing more underground bulbs. It does produce a flower that if allowed to mature, will produce seeds, but it does not reproduce as rapidly from seed.
There are no selective herbicides for control. You can paint the foliage with a nonselective herbicide, active ingredient, glyphosate. This will kill desirable plants so you will have to shield them with cardboard if you spray or paint.
mh
Your best option is to dig up the bulbs using a sharp spade. The plant multiplies from producing more underground bulbs. It does produce a flower that if allowed to mature, will produce seeds, but it does not reproduce as rapidly from seed.
There are no selective herbicides for control. You can paint the foliage with a nonselective herbicide, active ingredient, glyphosate. This will kill desirable plants so you will have to shield them with cardboard if you spray or paint.
mh