Hi,

Thank you for your question. Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a perennial non-native invasive plant that is very aggressive and hard to contain. Removal may be very challenging. If you have large patches of the plant, digging alone will not eradicate the plant. Digging is only recommended if you have a few plants and even then it is important to get every bit of the plant material out of the soil. Every tiny bulblet left behind will become a new plant new plant. Disturbing the soil may spread them even further. 

Smothering may be very effective and is a chemical free way of addressing the issue. Cover the area with cardboard or heavy dark landscape fabric and mulch over the top. Leave this in place for the entire growing season starving the plants of light so they are unable to photosynthesize. 

If the plant has overtaken a very large area, you may have to resort to a targeted use of an herbicide. Glyphosate seems to offer the best control. Please read and follow all safety precautions and direction on the label before using herbicides.  Also read your local herbicide laws. There are natural herbicides on the market but they may not have as strong a results as Glyphosate. Spray when the leaves are fully out. The ideal time to spray is early spring, when temperature is above 50 degrees. The herbicide will travel from the leaves down into the bulb, so avoid mowing or cutting down the plants before you spray. Use a targeted spray. It will take a few weeks to see the dieback. You should repeat this for 2 seasons and continue to monitor the area for new growth and remove plants in their entirety or retreat when they pop up. Do not let them flower. Please note that Glyphosate will harm or kill all plants and grass it comes into contact with so directed spraying or painting the leaves is important.

Do not compost bulbs or plants, bag them in dark contractor  or trash bags, tie them shut tightly and put them in your trash to be sent to the landfill. The dark bags conduct heat and keep out light and destroy the bulbs. This is a good rule of thumb for disposing of any invasive plants you are removing.

Hope this is helpful. 

Best,

Christine 

Hi,

Thank you for your question. Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a perennial non-native invasive plant that is very aggressive and hard to contain. Removal may be very challenging. If you have large patches of the plant, digging alone will not eradicate the plant. Digging is only recommended if you have a few plants and even then it is important to get every bit of the plant material out of the soil. Every tiny bulblet left behind will become a new plant new plant. Disturbing the soil may spread them even further. 

Smothering may be very effective and is a chemical free way of addressing the issue. Cover the area with cardboard or heavy dark landscape fabric and mulch over the top. Leave this in place for the entire growing season starving the plants of light so they are unable to photosynthesize. 

If the plant has overtaken a very large area, you may have to resort to a targeted use of an herbicide. Glyphosate seems to offer the best control. Please read and follow all safety precautions and direction on the label before using herbicides.  Also read your local herbicide laws. There are natural herbicides on the market but they may not have as strong a results as Glyphosate. Spray when the leaves are fully out. The ideal time to spray is early spring, when temperature is above 50 degrees. The herbicide will travel from the leaves down into the bulb, so avoid mowing or cutting down the plants before you spray. Use a targeted spray. It will take a few weeks to see the dieback. You should repeat this for 2 seasons and continue to monitor the area for new growth and remove plants in their entirety or retreat when they pop up. Do not let them flower. Please note that Glyphosate will harm or kill all plants and grass it comes into contact with so directed spraying or painting the leaves is important.

Do not compost bulbs or plants, bag them in dark contractor  or trash bags, tie them shut tightly and put them in your trash to be sent to the landfill. The dark bags conduct heat and keep out light and destroy the bulbs. This is a good rule of thumb for disposing of any invasive plants you are removing.

Hope this is helpful. 

Best,

Christine