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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 11:52:11 GMT 1
Now we have been here nearly a year, we are seeing a few more plants coming up, alongwith the bulbs! Over the last week, have spotted this.  and another picture..  Is it a weed (I know it's a plant in the wrong place) or is it something worth saving? Never seen it before. Hope someone can help. Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 12:35:41 GMT 1
The flowers look white, daft question but are they in fact pale pink?
If so it reminds me strongly of Pumonaria if it is the flowers will change over time to blue having passed through violet. I love this plant (if Im right ) but if you brush the leaves after they have been in sun, they can cause irritation.
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 12:40:48 GMT 1
Tell you what I will try a closer photo of the flower.
Keith
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 19, 2007 12:48:35 GMT 1
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 13:12:35 GMT 1
Russian Lungwort doesnt have any markings on the leaves sleepy... or they are hardly noticeable.
Pulmonaria Officianalis does, and used to be used for lung diseases because that is what the leaves resembled.
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 13:14:44 GMT 1
Well here is some close ups.    Leaves are green. Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 13:19:08 GMT 1
Im positive now, Pulmonaria Augustifolia Alba ;D
White flowers tinged with pink changing to violet, then blue. Lovely!
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 19, 2007 13:19:49 GMT 1
Russian Lungwort doesnt have any markings on the leaves sleepy... or they are hardly noticeable. Pulmonaria Officianalis does, and used to be used for lung diseases because that is what the leaves resembled. I've never heard of Russian Lungwort Sweetie. I bow to you superior knowledge  |
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 13:21:25 GMT 1
Thanks Sweatleaf, so it is worth keeping then?
Keith
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 13:21:46 GMT 1
One of its common names is Bee bread, a great source of nectar early in the year, as our busy buzzy friend will attest ;D
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 13:44:52 GMT 1
One of its common names is Bee bread, a great source of nectar early in the year, as our busy buzzy friend will attest ;D I know it didn't like me being near him, but I knew he wouldn't sting me if I was careful, so I carried on. As it is amongst other plants, when do I 'clean it up' and replant, baring in mind, if it is good for bees I don't want to upset them anymore? Keith Edit. If only I had not missed that GW the other day, as didn't they do a segment on them, during the programme? Too busy watching the cricket!! |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 13:53:06 GMT 1
You can watch online Keith.  |
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 14:04:21 GMT 1
Oh I had forgotten that. Do you know when I could clean it up?
Keith
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 14:13:02 GMT 1
You can watch online Keith. Just looked and can't see where it is, other than a couple of podcasts with pruning Rhodos and Exotics!!  Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 14:13:26 GMT 1
I dont know what you mean by that, Keith do you want to be rid of it? If so, do it before the seeds set, it doesnt transplant well, from memory although It does come easily from seed, its a valuable plant for wildlife, but the white form isnt aggressive, as most white forms arent, why is that I wonder? I think its very attractive, dont you? Fascinating, too as the flowers change colour after pollination to tell the bees where to go next. |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 14:16:56 GMT 1
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Post by madonplants on Mar 19, 2007 14:27:47 GMT 1
Thanks again, I am a bit half asleep today! Eldest son had been away on an adventure weekend and little son wanted 100% attention!
Looks like I will leave it for a few weeks, until spring is here!!! Thought we had Autumn, Winter and Spring all rolled into one day yesterday!! I can practise my root cuttings again, not done them for years!
Keith
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 19, 2007 22:30:16 GMT 1
Um, I think that's white Comfrey (Symphytum officinalis)......sorry to disagree. Wonderful plant - makes fantastic liquid fertiliser and is great just layered in bean trenches or in the compost heap. I think it's too tall for Pulmonaria...
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 22:39:45 GMT 1
Really? I was so sure....  its still a very nice plant though. |
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 19, 2007 22:42:03 GMT 1
Sorry (really really sorry to disagree) Sweetie but Pulmonaria has white blotches on its leaves and they are not so quilted. Comfrey is a lovely plant - every proper gardener should have a patch! It's called bee balm in some old books.
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 22:49:57 GMT 1
Hey Im never sorry about learning dear, it does look like Russian Lungwort, the differently coloured blooms clinched it, and Im sorry to say I have never laid eyes on comfrey there isnt any on this lottie (or the last.) I wonder if madon will send me some?
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 19, 2007 22:58:39 GMT 1
Ooh, Sweetleaf - you should have some! It really is an amazing plant. It has more protein in it than any other plant (hence it stinks as it decomposes) but it is a wonderfully useful plant. It was called Knitbone and was used to help broken bones to mend. I always lay stacks of it in my runner bean trench and in Autumn I chop it down and put it in my compost heaps. If you make a liquid fertiliser out of it a brilliant plant feed (but it stinks...). It has a really long tap root which is why it's so rich in minerals. I love Comfrey - did you guess! Remind me in a few weeks and I'll try and dig up a bit for you. www.allotment.org.uk/vegetables_and_herbs/Comfrey_The_Wonder_Plant.php - 23k - Cached - Similar pages |
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 23:03:15 GMT 1
Im sure Ill love it too ! I did see a comfrey pipe on an old GW prog but they didnt show the whole plant, so only a few bunched up leaves being rammed into a pipe with a pop bottle didnt really teach me much!
oh thanks dear, but wont it cost a bit to post? Ill pay you back, of course!
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Post by 4pygmies on Mar 19, 2007 23:22:52 GMT 1
Don't be daft. it'll be my pleasure - I'll give it a go when I see some signs of it coming up. REMIND me though - I have a memory like a sieve these days (poor old girl)!
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Post by sweetleaf on Mar 19, 2007 23:32:46 GMT 1
Well at least keith will still be able to practice his root cuttings!  Sorry keith, I was positive...... : |
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its still a very nice plant though.