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Help me identify a plant

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  • 23-05-2017 12:04pm
    #1
    COH
    Registered Users Posts: 7,155 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys - we recently moved into my partners grandparents house, and this 'thing' has grown to about 15ft high in the back garden. Anyone have any idea what it is?

    Her grandfather was a keen gardener but was adamant that he never planted whatever this thing is


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    #2
    toddunctious
    Registered Users Posts: 178 ✭✭toddunctious


    echium pininana


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    #3
    COH
    Registered Users Posts: 7,155 ✭✭✭COH


    toddunctious wrote: »
    echium pininana

    Thank you!


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    #4
    Oldtree
    Registered Users Posts: 8,104 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    Never seen on of those before, very interesting.


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    #5
    COH
    Registered Users Posts: 7,155 ✭✭✭COH


    Oldtree wrote: »
    Never seen on of those before, very interesting.

    Either had we... it wasn't here last year!


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    #6
    Oldtree
    Registered Users Posts: 8,104 ✭✭✭Oldtree


    COH wrote: »
    Either had we... it wasn't here last year!

    My friend Google tells me it's a biennial, so it grows for one year and then will die the next year after flowering and setting seed. So enjoy it while it is there.

    Google also mentioned that the harsh winters in Ireland, relative to its native habitat, have been wiping it out here. If you want to preserve it as part of your gardens history then it may well be worth collecting some ripe seed later in the year before the first frost.


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    #7
    Daisy 55
    Registered Users Posts: 511 ✭✭✭Daisy 55


    Grew from a seed. Might have more next year! I think it's sometimes called pride of Tenerife. They have lots in the zoo!


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    #8
    celticbhoy27
    Registered Users Posts: 885 ✭✭✭celticbhoy27


    Daisy 55 wrote: »
    Grew from a seed. Might have more next year! I think it's sometimes called pride of Tenerife. They have lots in the zoo!

    Sure do have loads in the zoo. Was admiring them today, coincidentally


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    #9
    Alicat
    Registered Users Posts: 10,264 ✭✭✭✭Alicat


    Diarmuid Gavin has talked about them recently. He's put them in his garden display in Dundrum.

    https://instagram.com/p/BRgolE8FNtU/

    https://instagram.com/p/BR_XeTYl-do/


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    #10
    lottpaul
    Registered Users Posts: 1,164 ✭✭✭lottpaul


    COH wrote: »
    Either had we... it wasn't here last year!


    It was :) but as a low growing clump of leaves. In its second year it shoots into the tall spike of flowers you have now. It then seeds and dies and the cycle begins again. Enjoy it!


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    #11
    Day Lewin
    Registered Users Posts: 4,647 ✭✭✭Day Lewin


    I've been looking for seeds of this one...really want it.
    Or, a first-year rosette would be fine, too.

    I'm in South Dublin, anybody have some or know where I could get it?

    Smiles to all fellow-gardeners who understand this craving!


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    #12
    Daisy 55
    Registered Users Posts: 511 ✭✭✭Daisy 55


    I have the craving too....after a visit to the zoo!!


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