Bluebell preservation
JamesP
Posts: 7
Hello All.
This is my first post as I have not so far in my life been much of a gardener – but that might soon change.
Short version…
I am just about to start building a new house on a site where the rear “garden” is presently mainly natural woodland. There are several mature trees; oak, beech and silver birch, and a nice sort of grassy glade which in the spring has a delightful carpet of bluebells – English not Spanish.
Because of the slope of the land, this glade would benefit from a degree of leveling and general smoothing out.
From the footprint of the new house foundation I have a huge heap of perfectly good top soil. You know what’s coming…
I could have the top soil taken away at a cost of about £2,000. But it would be easier to spread it over the glade to assist in the new landscaping and smoothing out the area.
If I did spread about 300 to 400mm over the glade, would I kill the bluebells? –Or what depth of fill (if any) could I put over the glade so as not to kill the bluebells.
If there is a danger of killing the bluebells I think I would just dispose of the top soil. I realize that bluebells are a protected species.
The final plan is to keep the area as natural as possible but with the grass mown to some extent and a few new paths installed.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Posts
You won't kill the bluebells by burying them. They come from bulbs so will come up next year.. As far as I know it's only an offence to remove them and your'e not doing that. In fact it may benefit them in the long run.
No you absolutely won't.
Whatever you do, don't get rid of the topsoil! We strive throughout our gardening endeavours to increase its depth and quality.
Even if you decide not to spread it evenly you could use it to make raised beds or similar.
As a last resort, sell/give it to someone who needs it. If someone charges you to take it away they'll then sell it to someone else!
What a lovely garden to start with
Bluebells are also able to adjust the depth of their bulb. I know that sounds crazy but if they are planted (or buried) too deep, they will still surface but the stem below ground will swell and another bulb will form at what the plant 'thinks' is the ideal depth. They might not flower the first year after being more deeply buried but will be fine in subsequent years.
Hello All.
In July 2015 I posted question relating to increasing the thickness of top soil over a glade of bluebells. See above.
In view of the certainty of the various respondents to my post that the bluebells would not be killed off I decided to proceed.
So in the winter of 2015/16 I did spread topsoil over the glade. We are still growing a lot of nettles, some bramble, clumps of grass and an assortment of other weeds but we have not yet seen a return of the bluebells.
The new top soil varies in thickness up to perhaps 300mm.
Should I give up on the bluebells coming back or continue to be patient – but the third growing season is upon us with no signs of bluebell activity.
I look forward to any observations.