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Monty Don has urged gardeners not to make the mistake(Image: Getty Images)
Gardeners have been urged against digging up one common plant this spring, as it is illegal. Monty Don has even issued a warning against the move as he said it would “break the law”.
Many flowers are starting to appear now that spring is here, including daffodils, tulips and primroses. One striking UK flower is the bluebell, which pop up in gardens and woodlands at this time of year.
The National Trust said: “Bluebells are an essential part of our natural heritage. Almost half the world’s bluebells are found in the UK and colonies of this delicate wild flower take a long time to establish – around five to seven years from seed to bloom.
“They’re considered so important that they’re a protected species in the UK.” Due to the delicate nature of the flowers, there is even a law against causing damage to them.
It is illegal to dig up bluebells from woodlands(Image: Getty Images)
The organisation added: “It’s against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells.” If you stand on a bluebell and damage the leaves, they are unable to absorb the sun.
It means the flowers die back without being able to put food into their bulbs, which reduces their chance of producing flowers and seeds.
Monty Don has also cautioned gardeners that there are strict rules when it comes to planting bluebells as they can be invasive.
In a previous Gardeners’ World Winter Special, he said: “Never plant them in a border even the English ones can become invasive, and certainly the Spanish bluebells are an absolute no-no.”
It is illegal to plant wild bluebells that have been dug up from outside your garden. If you break this, it could result in up to £5,000 fines.
Buying bluebells from a commercial supplier such as a garden centre is legal. Monty added: “It has to be stressed, it is illegal to dig up wild bluebells from anywhere. If you go to a wood and see acres and acres of them, take one and you’ve broken the law.”
If you want bluebells in your garden, Monty suggests buying bulbs in May once they have finished flowering. Then, plant them in your garden ahead of next spring.
Bluebells get stronger each year they flower, so the perfect blooms won’t happen straight away.
They can also be enjoyed in many bluebell woodlands, which have had years to reach their peak.
Monty said: “Don’t expect, if you plant a bulb, that it’s going to look fantastic in the first year or even in the second or third year. But they will come through, and they’ll get stronger, and they’ll get thicker.”
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