Plant Idents Please

Sue Deacon · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 9:22 pm Post subject: Plant Idents Please

We visited Salthill Garden earlier this week. It is well worth a visit - FULL of gorgeous plants.

I've been a gardener for 40+ years but was amazed at the number of plants I have never seen before. Hoping someone can help as I'd like a couple of these for my garden.

I think the first is some kind of toadflax.

Two plants here, the cream one on the left and the seedheads on the right.

I'm sure the third is a dahlia, but I don't know what sort. It's very dainty.

Good guy · Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:40 pm Post subject:

Are the tall white spires in #2 some kind of Eremus?
#3 looks like an anemone but the leaves aren't right.

Greengage · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:24 am Post subject:

Second Actaea racemosa and the third is Dahlia

Silver surfer · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:58 am Post subject:

1. Physostegia virginiana...common name Obedience flower.
Definitely not Eremurus !

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=physostegia+virginiana&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMImc_Rl-XIxwIVCtUaCh0MVwOV&biw=1536&bih=728

Agree with Greengage.
2.Actaea sp.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=actaea+simplex&biw=1536&bih=728&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIhaaWyuXIxwIVx9UaCh0b3gCv#tbm=isch&q=actaea+racemosa

3. Dahlia.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:00 am Post subject:

I thought 3 was a Dahlia, any idea what sort? It is taller and more airy and delicate than your average Dahlia - very pretty.

GG - Yes I think you are right it might be Eremus himalaicus. Shame, that, it will never work in our garden. Sad

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Silver surfer · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:06 am Post subject:

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:23 am Post subject:

Now there is a dilemma. If it's Eremus (fox-tail lily) I can't see me being able to grow it. But if it is Actaea (racemosa - Black cohosh) I can!

I'm trying to get a better look at the leaves (and I took the photo Rolling Eyes

)[/u]

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:24 am Post subject:

We must stop doing this Laughing

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 8:35 am Post subject:

I've had another look at the leaves on the original photo. You are right Sliver surfer and Greenage, that is Actaea. It is a plant I'm not that familiar with and I always thought it was much smaller. You learn something new every day.

Thanks to you both. Now I'd better get the washing up done!

Good guy · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:44 pm Post subject:

I'm glad that's sorted, then. I hope to go on a guided tour of the gardens at Oakfield Park on Saturday. It's been arranged as part of Heritage Week - it will be so instructive with an expert so fingers crossed for no downpours!

Silver surfer · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:27 pm Post subject:

Cimicifuga is another name that used to be used...I believe Actaea is the up to date name.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cimicifuga&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAWoVChMIr6u93eLJxwIVyLoaCh0oxAaB&biw=1536&bih=770

http://www.missouriplants.com/Whitealt/Cimicifuga_racemosa_flower.jpg

Eremurus are very different.... part of Ashodelacaea family..with strap leaves.
This is what they look like before planting.

https://thebikinggardener.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/eremurus-roots.jpg

Before flowering ...like this...
http://www.robsplants.com/images/portrait/EremurusCleopatra050409.jpg

flowers..

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Eremurus-robustus-flower-close.JPG

Sue Deacon · Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject:

There were some strappy leaves in the photo and I thought they were from that plant. But on closer inspection they belong to another plant.

Still we've finally sorted that out and I think it will do well in our garden. I'm having a big re-think about the 'Long' border. Bits work very well but some plants have definitely outlived their welcome. I really like the idea of the 'obedient' plant, Physostegia.

Thank you so much for your time and trouble.