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Advice on Bear's Breeches....

rufus67

By Rufus67

Gloucestershire, United Kingdom Gb

I have a plant called Bear's Breeches which has taken over a bed - do I need to take out the whole plant or can I just split it? Someone told me it won't like being moved...




Answers

 

My book says to lift and divide large clumps in spring, but also says this might be difficult, because the roots are thick and long and it might be difficult to get them out! Good luck with that, then - sounds like reducing them might be a bit of a performance, but they won't suffer from being hacked about.

13 Oct, 2009

 

Many thanks Bamboo - a job I can put off til spring!

13 Oct, 2009

 

Mine walks too, Rufus. I keep it strictly within bounds - any shoots that appear outside the 'circle' get dug up ASAP in the spring. I use a spade and chop through them, then dig them out.

I don't think that lifting the whole plant is an option - It's bad enough digging the stray bits out! :-((

13 Oct, 2009

 

This is one of those plants where any piece of root left regrows. I find it "takes over" because seedlings come up beside the main plant - these should be removed while still small to get the root out completely. Any piece growing in the wrong place can be killed by repeated application of a systemic weedkiller painted on the leaves but it takes several applications before it gives up

13 Oct, 2009

 

So far, so good, Andrew. My spade-work works! lol (sorry!)

13 Oct, 2009

 

Thanks gang, this site is so useful!

14 Oct, 2009

 

Oh, how I agree, Rufus! :-)

14 Oct, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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