Gardeners have been warned against digging up one common plant this spring that is actually illegal. Monty Don has even issued a caution about the practice, stating it would “break the law”.
Flowers are beginning to emerge now that spring has arrived, including daffodils, tulips and primroses. One eye-catching British flower is the bluebell, which appears in gardens and woodlands during this period of the 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 fragile nature of the flowers, there is even legislation prohibiting damage to them.”
The organisation added: “It’s against the law to intentionally pick, uproot or destroy bluebells.”
Should you tread on a bluebell and harm the leaves, they become unable to absorb the sun. This means the flowers die back without being able to store nutrients in their bulbs, diminishing their prospects of producing flowers and seeds.
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.”
Digging up wild bluebells from outside your garden and replanting them is against the law. Those who flout this rule could face fines of up to £5,000.
Purchasing bluebells from a commercial supplier such as a garden centre, however, remains perfectly 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.”
For those keen to grow bluebells in their garden, Monty recommends purchasing bulbs in May once they have finished flowering, before planting them for the following spring.
Bluebells grow more impressive with each passing year, so don’t expect a stunning display straight away.
They can also be admired in numerous bluebell woodlands across the country, which have had many years to reach their best.
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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