Question
Creeping Bell Flower
Hi there! I am so glad that I found someone to ask for advice.
I live in Regina, Saskatchewan. I moved into a house about 3 years ago that is under attack from this certain plant that wants to take over my entire yard! I'm not too sure exactly what it is though: it has a massive root system underground, dark green little spear-shaped leaves, it grows tall leafy stems which produce little light-purple bell-shaped flowers (I'm actually pretty sure that it's known as creeping bell flower and is a noxious weed). Quite pretty actually and the bees really seem to like it, but it gets in my vegetable garden and interferes with my perennials in my flower beds. I do not use chemicals in my yard, and since this plant appears to be seeping in along the borders of my yard from my neighbours, I thought that there might be another kind of ground cover that I could combat it with? Or any other organic defense? I don't really want to wipe it out as much as hold it back from complete domination over my yard. Thank you for your time!
AnswerHi Lacey,
The plant you describe has been declared a noxious weed in many parts of the north and western United States. Here is an article from the Montana State Univeristy, which discusses its eradication.
http://scarab.msu.montana.edu/CropWeedSearch/Docs/CreepingBellflower.htm
Here's an article from the Government of Saskatchewan on controlling creeping bellflower. You can control by digging but I think you're going to have your hands full (literally!). This is one time I advocate the use of Roundup.
http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=e959c984-a9d9-4a92-9f88-83bba94...
I hope this helps.
Tom
