Creeping bell flower - Ask Extension
This is a follow up to a previous question:
Hello, I have a question about eliminating creeping bellflower! My backyard is covered with it and I ad...
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Creeping bell flower #797219
Asked June 22, 2022, 11:13 AM EDT
This is a follow up to a previous question:
Hello, I have a question about eliminating creeping bellflower! My backyard is covered with it and I added black plastic to most of it. I wrote earlier and the reply agreed with either covering with black plastic for 2-3 months or Round Up.
Can I switch to cardboard + mulch after 2 months, so that I can plant next year?
Thank you,
Claudia
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Cardboard and mulch will smother the bellflower, but how long it will take is difficult to predict. You should be able to plant in the infested area in the next growing season.
Check out the "Plant Monster" article in this newsletter:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2021/04/01/maine-home-garden-news-april-2021/
Check out the "Plant Monster" article in this newsletter:
https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/2021/04/01/maine-home-garden-news-april-2021/
Hi,
This was my question: "Can I switch to cardboard + mulch after 2 months, so that I can plant next year?"
So: I understand that it will take a full calendar year, but want to know if switching from plastic to cardboard in late summer/early fall would jeopardize the eradication.
Thank you!
C
Switching from one method to the other won't matter. Both have the same effect--depriving the bellflower of light. Higher temperatures under the black plastic might speed the suppression but that's not important if you won't be planting in the area until next year.
