Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: muddywellies on May 29, 2008, 10:22

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: muddywellies on May 29, 2008, 10:22

OK yes, I admit, I'm after yet another plant ID please . I really hope this fella's not a weed though as he's massive. I first noticed him growing in the winter and thought it might be a foxglove - but no. The leaves are really furry (still doesn't stop the snails/slugs eating them though!). There are no flowers as yet which doesn't help with identification. It's growing in my front, south-west facing, garden. Any ideas folks?


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2532790617_17ee5f68f3.jpg)


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2532790619_407e4923e9.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2532790623_bdf960ebd0.jpg) :oops:

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: poultrygeist on May 29, 2008, 11:10

Could be Mullein (sp.?)

Gets about 6ft tall and has a spike of yellow flowers.

We had a couple but they looked so messy where they were so we had to dig them up and pass them on.

Rob

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: compostqueen on May 29, 2008, 11:12

I can never remember Mullein, I always call it Veronica  :oops:

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: muddywellies on May 29, 2008, 11:15

That's the fella! Thanks Rob  :D  Have just read this about its leaves:
"People who spend time in the woods are attracted to mullein’s large, velvety leaves when they run out of toilet paper."
Hmmmmm, perhaps I'll dig it up and plant it down the plot next to my pee bucket!!!  :lol:
I see it's a biennial so those flowers won't be appearing this year. I think I'll get rid - it's a bit too triffidy for my liking  :?

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: Ruby Red on May 29, 2008, 11:26

It does actually look like it WILL flower this year. Dont kill it , it would be such a shame they are beautiful. :wink:

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: muddywellies on May 29, 2008, 11:31

Oh, OK - I will spare him then. I can see he's going to be tapping on my lounge window (just out of shot) soon to come in!  :shock:

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: Brambles on May 29, 2008, 11:58

I have several self seeded mulleins, I love them in my garden, though they have a tendency to grow in cracks and places that are not convenient for you.  They don't seem to like being moved.  I put up with their bad habbits  because I love them so.  Apart from that I have not found them invasive.  And they are a herb! (well in all the herb books!)

Title: Furry triffid mystery
Post by: peggyprice on May 29, 2008, 23:31

Good for diarrhoea, amongst other things, apparently.  Maybe hence the toilet paper  :wink:  :oops:  :wink: