Here are the TLC directions on dealing with Creeping Bellflower:

Creeping Bellflower (CBF) Control

Facebook Group for property owners dealing with this plant: *Creeping Bellflower Battles

*Not affiliated with The Land Conservancy of McHenry County

*Eradication of this difficult invasive plant takes a multi-pronged approach that requires diligence and patience. There are multiple steps and options.

1. Manual control: Steps 1a-c will need to be repeated for many years
   1. At a minimum, pull or cut close to the ground to prevent seed production. One individual plant can produce up to 15,000 seeds each year. 
   2. Dig deep: dig up to 10 inches or deeper and pull out both the fibrous roots and the tubers and rhizomes. 
   3. Disposal of plant parts: Carefully remove and dispose of all plant parts from the site. You can dry the plant parts on a tarp, or cook them in a black garbage bag mixed with a little water and left in the sun. Once they’re sterilized, you can burn them or dispose with landscape waste.
   4. Important to get densely planted native plants in to compete (like common violets, wild ginger, wild geranium, zigzag goldenrod, big-leaved aster). A lot of these natives can spread aggressively and have root structures that make them ideal for competing with creeping bellflower and preventing it from re-growing once you’ve eradicated it.
   5. Learn to identify CBF in all of its growth stages to prevent mistaking it for a native plant. Minnesota Wildflowers has descriptions and photos of the plant in its various growth stages.
2. Chemical control: 5% Glyphosate with surfactant

1. Active ingredient 41% glyphosate mixed with surfactant and water
2. To make 1 quart of this herbicide mix at the recommended 5% concentration: Combine 32 oz water, 1oz herbicide, 1/3oz surfactant. Apply with a sponge brush for a very targeted application if necessary, or a spray bottle or backpack sprayer if a widespread application is needed. Glyphosate will kill other plants, so be very careful with its application.
   1. The correct concentration and addition of the surfactant is key to herbicide working on this plant.
3. Throughout the growing season (April-October), watch for new growth of CBF. If it appears, treat it with the above herbicide mix. 
4. The following spring after treating, plant a dense mix (1 plant every 6-12”) of any of the following native plants from live plugs: common violets, wild ginger, wild geranium, zigzag goldenrod, big-leaved aster. A lot of these natives can spread aggressively and have root structures that make them ideal for competing with creeping bellflower and preventing it from re-growing once you’ve eradicated it.
5. Learn to identify CBF in all of its growth stages to prevent mistaking it for a native plant. Minnesota Wildflowers has descriptions and photos of the plant in its various growth stages.

Thank you!

Carol Elkins

Conservation@Home Assistant

Email:  celkins@conservemc.org

Mobile:  847-894-8196

www.conservemc.org