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Friend or Foe ?

pincushionpincushion Posts: 69
in Plants
Can anyone identify this plant growing in my garden, Soft leaves , Blue flowers , about 3 foot high, Growing with tiered branches, Thanks in advance

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2018
    Great Hairy Willowherb   https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/great-willowherb

    Spreads at an exponential rate and usually regarded as a weed unless you have several acres of 'wildlife garden'.   However, it is a food plant of the Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar, so if you do have the space for it, you might get some wonderful garden visitors. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    That to me looks like pink flowered Great Willowherb, a wildflower/weed depending on your point of view.
    If the photo lies and the flowers really are blue, then I don't have a clue! :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited July 2018
    I've discovered from being on this forum quite a while that the description of colour is quite a subjective thing @Buttercupdays  :D

    I'm convinced that you and I have the right ID  :)  I've sometimes seen the flowers described as 'lilac' ... as a painter I'd not describe it as that but hey ho  :D

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • pincushionpincushion Posts: 69
    Having spent the last few weeks removing as much Ground Elder as humanly possible, It looks like i may have another task to take on board, Great WillowHerb, Although a pretty plant it is still growing in the wrong place
    Have taken a better picture of the bloom
    Many thanks
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Definitely Great Willowherb ... usually not too hard to pull out as they usually grow in damp soil ... do it before they seed ... the soft fluffy seeds drift everywhere ... and learn to recognise the seedlings next spring  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    It's looking wonderful right across my wet wilderness area at the moment, all aflutter with butterflies. Oddly, I dont find it all that often as a weed, but then the wind doesn't often blow from the south. Rosebay spreads much more readily.
  • pincushionpincushion Posts: 69
    Gone to the great big grave yard in the sky,  Thick rootes but easy to pull out comparing it to Ground Elder
    Thanks to all for your help 

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