Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Plant identification

traceycheekymonkeytraceycheekymonkey Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hi can anyone help me identify the plant in photos please?

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Welcome to the forum @traceycheekymonkey! I'm pretty sure it's Leycesteria formosa.  :)
  • traceycheekymonkeytraceycheekymonkey Posts: 5
    Hi Anni D, thanks for your welcome and quick response! I have been trying to figure out what this is for a while 😁😁 thanks will check it out..... it's in a garden that I tend to!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Anni's correct, tcm. It's a plant that gets asked about regularly on the forum. :)
    It's quite common in lots of gardens, but despite that, many people are unfamiliar with it .
    Lovely plant and good for a long season of interest with it's changing features  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • traceycheekymonkeytraceycheekymonkey Posts: 5
    Thanks firygirl, you are correct that many people are unfamiliar with it, as my gardening friends were all stumped! This is the first one I have seen but you are correct it is a gorgeous Plant! It is in a lady's garden I work for. 😊😊😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I've often wondered why it isn't more widely recommended or grown.
    It's not invasive in any way, as far as I know, and doesn't involve a lot of work in maintaining it, or no more than many other shrubs. 
     In fact - I'm wondering why I don't grow it!  :D

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • traceycheekymonkeytraceycheekymonkey Posts: 5
    You should definitely grow one!! I would if I had a garden...... the bees love the flowers and the birds love the berries 😊😊 a winner all round!! 😉😉
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2018
    It can get a bit rampant ... if it begins to outgrow its space
     just take out a third of the older canes each winter so it's being constantly rejuvenated.

    The blackbirds love the berries so it's a great plant for wildlife ... but keep your eyes open for self-seeded babies ... you could end up with a forest of them.  

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





  • traceycheekymonkeytraceycheekymonkey Posts: 5
    Thanks dove that's good to know! I will keep my eyes peeled for the self seeders!! Is it safe to prune once the berries have gone or should I wait till spring? Not had a chance to look up care of the plant yet!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Ah - perhaps that's why it isn't more widely grown then Dove - except by accident! 
    I really don't have a suitable spot for it. The only place would be the corner behind the shed where it would be more contained by the pine, the conifer and the slabs beside and under the shed ... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2018
    I think it's pretty hardy ... it was sometimes grown as cover for game birds on sporting estates, hence one of its names being Pheasantberry ... they loved the berries so it kept the pheasants hanging around at home and not wandering onto neighbouring estates ... The stems are attractive in the winter, so I'd do the pruning in late winter/early spring ... no idea if that's what's recommended tho but it used to work for me. 

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





Sign In or Register to comment.