This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Thapsia villosa
Bee witched
Posts: 1,295
in Plants
Hi All,
The Sept. GW mag. has a picture of this plant (page 73). It looks great and I would love to try and grow from seed.
The usual google etc searches have drawn a blank (apart from one supplier in Portugal). Do any of you grow this, or know of a UK seed supplier?
Many thanks,
Bee.
Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
0
Posts
Hi Bee. It might be difficult to get seeds of this as all parts of it are so poisonous. Any contact with the root alone can cause severe swelling and itching.
Hi Ladybird,
Thanks for getting in touch.
I agree that it's not one to mess with .... but it does look fab.
I'm a bit surprised that GW are suggesting we grow it if it's so difficult to source.
Bee.
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I agree Bee. Have you thought about contacting places that have poison gardens such as Blarney Castle in N. Ireland or Alnwick Garden in Northumberland. They may be able to help you.
Good idea LB .... Alnwick isn't too far away from me. It would be a good excuse for another visit!
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
I would love to hear how you get on Bee x
Hi LB,
Well Alnwick have been in touch ... they don't grow thapsia villosa. Shame, I fancied a jaunt out there!
I'm tempted to send for the seeds from the ebay seller in Portugal. .... nothing ventured
Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
As long as they are not charging you over the odds. Hope they have a high, good feedback too.
I just come across your post as I was doing some research on the "Deadly Carrot".
I was surprised to find out that they are poisonous. They grow wild all around my house in Portugal and I often cut them to put in a vase inside the house as I absolutely love them. In fact yesterday I tried to dig some with roots ( not a easy task), I didnt have gloves and had no reactions whatsoever. But I will try to be more careful in the future.
Do you still want some seeds?
Thank you so much for getting in touch and for your kind offer of seeds.
I did a bit of further research and discovered that Thapsia villosa likes well-drained soil and dislikes winter wet. I live in Scotland and garden in a river valley ... the soil is heavy clay ... so, the exact opposite conditions.
It's a shame because it is a lovely plant, but I think it would hate it here
Thanks again for your kind offer.
Best wishes ... Bee x
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime