by Michelle Stensrud, Roving Reporter and Lazy Gardener
Walking through Fairview, you get to see everyone’s gardens. Some are magnificent, some are average, some have cactus surprises, and some are full of the dreaded creeping bellflower (CBF)!
Although a favourite of bees, butterflies, and lazy gardeners (I’m one of them), CBF is actually a highly invasive perennial weed. It comes back every year whether you want it or not. Although you may think it a beautiful bluey-purple bell-shaped flower, it is the bane of many gardeners’ summers. If left unchecked, it can take over your entire garden! And beyond.
CBF is incredibly aggressive. Removal can be nearly impossible. The intricate root system means that even if you dig out part of the root, it is not enough. Even the tiniest bit will bring back more of the dreaded CBF. You can slow the spread of CBF by pulling the plant out as soon as you see the light green, rough-edged, heart-shaped leaves sprouting up. Even if you see the tall flowering stem, yank it out before it seeds!
It’s important to note that you should not put CBF into the green bin. The green bin eventually becomes compost, which makes its way to another garden, and CBF is incredibly persistent. Bag those little devils and put them in the black bin!
You can learn more about the creeping bellflower by heading to Calgary.ca and searching ‘creeping bellflower.’
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