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Transplanting plants

WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
in Plants
There is some waste land near me that will soon be lost to development unfortunately. There are some plants on there that I wouldn’t mind trying to grow in our garden and I’m wondering if I could dig them up before the land is levelled and transplant them?

The plants in question are Red Valerian, Mullein, Comfrey, Teasel and possibly Figwort. 

Such a shame to see this area of land lost. 
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  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    Even though it is wasteland you will still need permission. Can you ask the developer? I'm sure they will be very willing for you to have the plants.
    Nice wildflowers.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It is of course illegal to take plants from the wild or from someone’s  property without permission and even waste land belongs to someone. 

    I’d simply take some seeds … still illegal strictly speaking but less likely to raise eyebrows or offend. 

    Red Valerian … presumably what’s now known as Centranthus Ruber grows very easily from seed. 

    Mullein (aka verbascum) is biennial so if it’s flowering this year it’ll then die, but again just collect seeds when ripe scatter them in your garden … they’ll make themselves at home in a sunny spot. 

    I’ve not tried to grow Figwort from seed … don’t know if @nutcutlet has?

    Teasel grows easily from seed. 

    As for Comfrey, it can be really invasive and unless you have several acres I’d not consider growing any but the non-seeding clone Bocking 14. 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Thanks. I’ll try and get some seeds then, just hope they’re still there later in the year. Certainly don’t want to get into bother!
  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I know exactly how you feel @wildlover.  We are about to lose a patch of land with lovely wildflowers near me too.  I loved leaning on the gate and looking out over the marshes on my way back from town.  But alas someone is going to build a bungalow there, on the very edge of the flood plain and 'my' gate will be the entrance to their drive.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    Dovefromabove said:


    I’ve not tried to grow Figwort from seed … don’t know if @nutcutlet has?

    . 


    I didn't have to, it was here already


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited May 2022
    😆  … and presumably it self sows and carries in carrying on. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    Sorry to bring this one back up but I have been granted permission to collect any plants I would like to save. There is also a few Echinops on the land which I’m planning on transplanting. 

    Will these survive if I dig up, place in a bag and get home (which is a 20 minute walk, I don’t drive)?

     Thanks. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I think echinops has a long tap root so be sure to dig deep. Try to lift them with as much soil as you can manage (difficult given that you have to carry them). They might take better if you cut off the flowering growth so they can concentrate on establishing their roots, and it might make them easier to carry if you chop the tops off - they are very prickly.  It's one of those things that does effortlessly well here in the sunniest driest sandiest part of the garden, so give them a well-drained sunny spot.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I have happily divided clumps of Echinops in my garden.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • WildlifeloverWildlifelover Posts: 380
    At this time of year will it be ok?
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