Plant identification

[jonahjonah]

Hi all,

I don't know if this is the best place, but I need some help identifying some plants on the allotment. The previous tenant of my allotment is a retired garden landscaper who had some less-usual suspects planted plus I grew up in a rather different climate. That means many of the plants I encounter are unknown to me. I know it's probably not a great time to try to identify plants as they are missing a few key characteristics, but for most I am trying to decide if I should discard or respectfully relocate to more advantageous accommodation.

All of the images were taken today in Birmingham.

1. Silvery white foliage, about 10 inches or 25 cm tall
2. Little purple/green heads, growing only an inch or so off the ground
3. Impossible to see or distinguish sticks with little seed heads, about 5 feet or 150 cm tall. I realize this is an utter longshot
4. Little pink flowers, about 6 inches or 15 cm tall. Looks like a weed based on where it's growing. I don't mind it but will tear it out if it'll spread or cause a problem before I get around to digging that area in the summer.
5. Green leaves, about 6 inches or 15 cm tall. I thought it might be geraniums as there were many with pink flowers last year, but can't tell.

Please forgive me if I'm being utterly silly trying to ID anything with these photos. I appreciate your help (and even light heckling, if necessary :P). Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

We lurve the chance to identify plants here

My guesses:-
1. Globe artichoke or Cardoon
2. Aquilegia
3. ?Jerusalem artichoke
4. ?
5. perennial geranium

[bario1]

I would guess

Globe artichoke,
Some sort of hellybores
Jerusalem artichokes?
The last two look like weeds, ground elder maybe?

I'm really no expert though, someone more knowledgeable will be along shortly I'm sure.

Doh! They already did!

[nickdub]

generally agree with VC - though 5 may not be a geranium, as several plants have similar leaves, easy enough to be sure when it flowers. I'd put a small wager on 4 being a foreign import of some kind, as I'm pretty sure I've never seen it before.

[jonahjonah]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll keep an eye on them and see what appears. I may be rich in artichokes...

[self-contained]

At least if you dig around under the suspected Jerusalem artichokes, you will get a definite answer on that one

[jonahjonah]

At least if you dig around under the suspected Jerusalem artichokes, you will get a definite answer on that one

I did a little digging around today. The suspected Jerusalem artichokes have a mega blackberry growing right at the root, which complicated matters, but the roots did not look as I expected. I didn't get a photo, but I am going to let that plant go to see what happens.

I also dug up some of the suspected geraniums today. The root looks like some we used to have, so I think that ID is pretty likely. Some of them had to be transplanted (again, growing with some bramble that has to go).

I also found the little sprouts in the last photo. It appears to be regrowth of a plant that had about 3 ft or 90 cm stalks with flower heads at the top. I have a feeling it's a friend rather than foe, so I'll wait to see what appears.

This is my first winter/spring on the allotment. I did see it in all its overgrown glory last summer, but that was overwhelming and I didn't note all of the plants of interest. Fingers crossed for not destroying something lovely in my quest to make room for veggies and a cut flower patch.

[seasprout]

3 could have been verbena bonariensis, does it have square stems. ?

Number 4 is cardamine, very nice spring spreader.

6 is hardy geranium.

[jonahjonah]

3 could have been verbena bonariensis, does it have square stems. ?

Number 4 is cardamine, very nice spring spreader.

6 is hardy geranium.

Cardamine, thank you! None of my creative search terms were helping me with my little pink flower.

Thanks for the confirmation on the geranium as well. One tiny pat for myself not being totally clueless (only mostly) about something I've actually had in my border before.

I think the stems on 3 are round. I think the flowers were yellow but...memory...not so clear...

You guys have been so helpful

[veggiechicken]

Your last photo, taken today, could be sedum?

[jonahjonah]

Your last photo, taken today, could be sedum?

After a quick Google, I think you are quite right. The dried flower heads (forgot to photograph) look right as well. Thank you!

[mothhawk]

Number 4 is cardamine, very nice spring spreader.

I didn't think the leaves looked right for cuckoo flower.....?

[nickdub]

I didn't think the leaves looked right for cuckoo flower.....?

not a sort of cardamine I'm familiar with, but there are lots of types I believe.

[jonahjonah]

Hi all,

I've been taking more snaps of the mystery plants on the allotment. For your viewing and identifying pleasure:

Photo 8 appears to be the new growth of a plant that has approximately 90 cm/36 in tall stalks with flower heads.


Photo 9 is growing in the vicinity of the plant in 9.


This is a strange one (photo 10 and 11). There is a big clump of soil that has all of these guys growing in it. Someone must have dug it up and chucked it back there at least a year ago. They look like leeks to me?


Photo 12


Thanks!

[Martin H]

Photo 10 looks like day lilies (Hemerocallis).