Another plant identification request.

[Slarti]

I think the plant to the left is a Foxglove, but does anybody have an idea what the one on the right is?

This has grown from nothing to the size shown in 2 weeks.

Slarti

[maximan]

Hi Slarti
I have wild strawberries that look like that.

[maximan]

Sorry also should have said maybe Ladies Mantle.

[Slarti]

Hi Slarti
I have wild strawberries that look like that.

They would be welcome, though the birds would probably get them

Slarti

[Slarti]

Sorry also should have said maybe Ladies Mantle.

Having looked at pictures of both wild strawberries and Ladies Mantle "my" leaves look spikier than either. But both are possibilities


Slarti

[mike]

I would say certainly not Lady's Mantle. It has hairy leaves and rain water balls up on them quite spectacularly.

Have you tried this to try to narrow it down a bit ?

http://www.botanicalkeys.co.uk/flora/content/SEARCH.ASP

[scotia]

I'm reasonably certain its not wild strawberry. If it is, you will quickly get runners which will take over your garden!

[Breelander]

I think the plant to the left is a Foxglove, but does anybody have an idea what the one on the right is?

Looks to me like Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) see these Google images in particular this one...

First year plants are low-growing rosettes with rounded, kidney-shaped leaves, scalloped on the edges

https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/env ... stard.aspx

[colin]

Yes its garlic mustard or hedge garlic

[BhotiPila]

Yes, I know it as Jack by the Hedge as well.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/41250/i-Alliaria-petiolata-i/Details

Cabbage family - you see the similarity to mustard & rape. Crush the leaves and they smell garlicky/mustardy . It's quite tasty and those young leaves of yours are tender. Its not supposed to be so young at this time of year, should come up in springtime. Likes South facing hedge/fence lines. I use it in green salads where it adds a garlicky/mustardy zing, good in sarnies too. High in vitamin A and C. Here's a recipe for pesto:
http://meganhine.com/recipe/jack-by-the-hedge-recipe/

Like many of the family (broccoli, kale, cabbage) it has traces of cyanide so best not to eat it every day . . . .

BP

[Slarti]

I shall go and bruise a leaf tomorrow and see if it smells of garlic.

Cheers guys

Slarti

[Slarti]

I shall go and bruise a leaf tomorrow and see if it smells of garlic.

Yep, mild garlic smell, so identification achieved.

SWMBO says to remove it, so I shall.

Cheers
Slarti

[Breelander]

Yep, mild garlic smell, so identification achieved.
SWMBO says to remove it, so I shall.

Yes, I do whenever I get it in my garden. Not a particularly attractive weed wild flower, unlike that Foxglove next to it.

[colin]

Not a particularly attractive weed wild flower, unlike that Foxglove next to it.

That depends on whether you are a butterfly or not, or even if you value a rich natural world beyond merely cosmetic values.

http://www.wildflowersuk.com/details.asp?ID=152

[Slarti]

Not a particularly attractive weed wild flower, unlike that Foxglove next to it.

That depends on whether you are a butterfly or not, or even if you value a rich natural world beyond merely cosmetic values.

http://www.wildflowersuk.com/details.asp?ID=152

I'll have another word with her and see if it can have a reprieve until next year, at least.

Slarti

[colin]

I don't know what the wider area around it looks like but I might be inclined to move it and the Foxglove, both are biennials that are adapted to woodland edge habitats so they will grow in semi shade, hedge garlic will grow about 3 foot high and if left to self seed form colonies as wide as conditions and striming allow. So a mixed colony of the two might look quite nice closer to your shady fence. Just strim the old growth back in September at a height above next years plants.

[Breelander]

.. a mixed colony of the two might look quite nice...

I'm all for bio diversity and wildlife friendly planting, but in a small garden it has to be aesthetically pleasing too. Field garlic doesn't make the grade IMHO. Foxglove, field poppy, verbascum, honesty and purple toadflax all do - their seed heads all being allowed into my compost heap for a 'surprise' further down the line.

[Nimrod103]

.. a mixed colony of the two might look quite nice...

I'm all for bio diversity and wildlife friendly planting, but in a small garden it has to be aesthetically pleasing too. Field garlic doesn't make the grade IMHO. Foxglove, field poppy, verbascum, honesty and purple toadflax all do - their seed heads all being allowed into my compost heap for a 'surprise' further down the line.

I have the same list of approved weeds, to which I have now added the yellow or common toadflax, which has larger flowers of yellow and orange but tends to be a bit straggly.

[colin]

What? No Dandelions for the bees and beetles in spring?

[vrdiver]

What? No Dandelions for the bees and beetles in spring?

I think I've got the dandelion quota Mrs VRD quite likes them (and daisies) so our lawn is "au naturel". The edges are frequented by frogs, so mowing and strimming are slow, cautious affairs, whilst the woodpile is the lair of all sorts of creepy crawlies; makes me feel guilty when I actually want to use some (I do give each piece a hefty clout to try and shake out any small residents so as to avoid their immolation). The only ones I have declared war on are the slugs and snails. Currently a losing battle; the little s0ds seem to be as addicted to coffee grounds as I am to coffee, rather than it discouraging them.

VRD