Plant ID please

[Vince G]

I thought this was a Penstemon plant, as it has the usual small bell-shaped flowers, but I noticed today they have produced berries. I never knew a penstemon produced a berry, so am not sure if that's what it really is. It's also grown to over five foot tall.

[veggiechicken]

Leycesteria Formosa aka Pheasant berry.

[Guest]

I know it as Himalayan honeysuckle, but it's the same as what VC has said

[veggiechicken]

I know it an invasive pest!! I pull it up now as it gets everywhere

[Jay-ell]

Himalayan honeysuckle aka Pheasant Berry.

Berries have a taste a bit like chocolate and treacle but they ripen in batches. When they are dark purple/black they should just drop off with little pressure and are very soft and squidgy.

Mines about 4' at the moment, it can get up to 8'. Will cut back in February to 6" tall.

[Vince G]

Yup that's it. So the berries are edible?

No idea how it got there, I didn't plant it, must be birds spreading the berries.

[Scarlet]

I know it an invasive pest!! I pull it up now as it gets everywhere

I think I have the unlucky garden! It's never self seeded in my garden Martin earlier in the year also said globe thistles/echinops were also invasive and I've never had one of those self seed either.
Though they can grow tall...I think mine is about 6 foot at the moment and I cut it back every year.

[Guest]

^^^It isn't just you. My neighbour has one and they never trim it or do anything to it, it over hangs the fence but I have never seen seedlings However, I have learnt that anything VC says is invasive I know will be behaved in my garden

[Jay-ell]

Obviously VC's garden is so fertile everything growing in it becomes invasive.

I'm still waiting for my kiwi fruit to take over it's fence - The way VC described it that should have been about 47 minutes after I planted it