Lots of dead bluebells in my beds. Do I pull them up or just cut away the leaves?

[Bubble99]

I like them when they are flowering but want to clear the beds for the summer. They are bulbs, so I s'pose I shouldn't just pull the whole things out?

If you leave them a bit longer the leaves will have time to fatten up the bulbs for next year. The longer you can stand leaving the leaves in place, the better your bluebell flowers will be next year. You can take the dead flower heads off though if you like.
Now, do you know why my bluebells come up every year a manky sort of pink?

We used to have masses in our last garden. I used to leave them until they were starting to die down and then just get some gloves on (they were a bit slimy in places) and clear all the leaves by hand. They came away with no effort and left the bulbs in the ground.

I have zillions of bulb plants- bluebells, daffs, tulips, snowdrops left over from previous owner and they are getting skanky now. Shall leave them a bit longer now. I rememebr my gran used to tie a knot int he leaves

I'm trying to get some bluebells but I heard you can't buy them. Any ideas how I can get some then?
No idea about cutting them back, I cut back daffodils when all the flowers have gone and they come back year after year.

I'd love some bluebells as well so will wait for someone knowledgeable to come along.

Bluebells are a sign of ancient woodland and along with the fact that rohdedendrons are pernicious weeds and you can keep deer away from your shrubs by using lion dung is all I remember from my forsestry lectures from college. If I remember rightly it is illegal to dig them up but happy to be proved otherwise

As far as I am aware, you can dig them up if they are on your own land but you are not allowed to dig the up from the wild.

For daffs, I read recently, you should cut the flower heads off but let the leaves die back - no cutting or tying or anything - would bluebells be the same?

wheresthehamster
If you are a member on Freecycle, you can put a post on there asking for some bluebells. I just did after I posted my first message here and have had 2 offers already!

I'll happily send anyone some pulled-up bluebell bulbs.

Yes please!
I told my MIL that I had managed to get some, now she wants some. I would love some for the garden and also the front of my house in my lovely flower boxes.
Would they be ok to post?

Great idea kid! I never thought of that!

Bubble - are you serious?

If so could you email me at guinnesstimepiece at yahoo.com because I'd love some.

If there is enough for both of us
kt8cs5[at]yahoo.co.uk
Send some to wheresthehamster first though as I should be collecting some tomorrow, no idea how many though and I will have to fight my MIL for them!

Actually my address might be yahoo.co.uk as well I can't remember.

I have just posted a Freecycle wanted ad. Fingers crossed.

What area are you in wheresthehamster?
Maybe I one of the people that contacted me live nearer to you?

Herts/Essex border.

My local group is Harlow.

Wow! Someone has replied already! I can have them when they've stopped flowering - AND she lives in my town!

That was quick, how lucky was that.
I just had an email from someone else too telling me where they can be purchased. They bought 50 but only 2 survived because the ants ate them. I hope when I get mine they survive.

I've had another offer!

We'll have so many bluebells between us we won't know what to do with them!