Not one but two mystery plants

[Sue]

I have got a large flower/herb semi wild border on one of my plots and growing very hugely are two weird plants which I'm sure I never planted.

Both are huge now topping 6ft.
One is like a group of tall sticks, leaves lower down the stem, tiny flowers that look as if a blackcurrant had opened up and flowered.

The other one has huge leaves, spear shaped and where they join the very fat stem they collect water (hoping it's not carniverous, it's a very big plant...)on the back of the leaf spine are rows of prickles. It has now got a sort of flower on the top, like a big fat grass head, green with a slight red blush, thinking of a word to describe the "flower" teasel came to mind, would that be what it is???

Would love to know what these monsters are.
Sue

[Alice]

You just have to show us a pic, Sue.

[rustylady]

Do try and get pictures, Sue they sound fascinating.

[TPeers]

I have got a large flower/herb semi wild border on one of my plots and growing very hugely are two weird plants which I'm sure I never planted.

Both are huge now topping 6ft.
One is like a group of tall sticks, leaves lower down the stem, tiny flowers that look as if a blackcurrant had opened up and flowered.

The other one has huge leaves, spear shaped and where they join the very fat stem they collect water (hoping it's not carniverous, it's a very big plant...)on the back of the leaf spine are rows of prickles. It has now got a sort of flower on the top, like a big fat grass head, green with a slight red blush, thinking of a word to describe the "flower" teasel came to mind, would that be what it is???

Would love to know what these monsters are.
Sue

Don't know about the first, are the leaves hairy? Are the flowers yellow?

Second one - only thing I can think of from the description is a Yucca - an aptly named plant with a tap rot that goes on for ever!

Photos would really help!

Terry

[Two_Sheds]

1. flowering currant
2. teasel

[Sue]

Sorry haven't got the right camera and haven't a clue about posting pictures anyway...not very computer literate, I know.
But two sheds, flowering currant, I thought that was more bushy not like ramrods which is what I've got, and teasel, a right monster, shall just have to start weaving so I can knap some cloth with them...

Where on earth did they come from?? I can't see any other plants like this on the allotment.
Sue

[FoxHillGardener]

Might your first one be verbena bonariensis? See here (http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/garden...orpom03aug.asp) for picture of flowers.

And I'd agree about teasle for the second one. The birds like the seeds but they can do a bit of a takeover so keep an eye out for self seeders where you don't want them

[nick the grief]

Sorry haven't got the right camera and haven't a clue about posting pictures anyway...not very computer literate, I know.
But two sheds, flowering currant, I thought that was more bushy not like ramrods which is what I've got, and teasel, a right monster, shall just have to start weaving so I can knap some cloth with them...

Where on earth did they come from?? I can't see any other plants like this on the allotment.
Sue

If it is a teasel get the right camera and sit back & wait for the flocks of Golfinches to arrive & then take their picture !!

[Sue]

Foxhillgardener
If only it were VB, but sadly this thing, now over 6ft tall, is more like a clump of sticks with the leaves ending at about 3ft, then tall, ramrod type stems with these tiny flowers opening up. As I say the nearest I could get is that they look like blackcurrants that have opened up and flowered.
And NtG, they, the teasel are very thuggish and I bet the roots are enormous too and if I see goldfinches will be overjoyed and prepared to put up with these looming monsters.
best wishes
Sue

[Polly Fouracre]

Could the first one be Ecchium? Dont know about the second one though.

[Polly Fouracre]

Did you find out!

I have got a large flower/herb semi wild border on one of my plots and growing very hugely are two weird plants which I'm sure I never planted.

Both are huge now topping 6ft.
One is like a group of tall sticks, leaves lower down the stem, tiny flowers that look as if a blackcurrant had opened up and flowered.

The other one has huge leaves, spear shaped and where they join the very fat stem they collect water (hoping it's not carniverous, it's a very big plant...)on the back of the leaf spine are rows of prickles. It has now got a sort of flower on the top, like a big fat grass head, green with a slight red blush, thinking of a word to describe the "flower" teasel came to mind, would that be what it is???

Would love to know what these monsters are.
Sue

Well--did you find out what they were,I am dying to know!!
A plant-finder from the library may help.