[jonewer]

Hi all,

Any ideas what these things are? I have let them grow as I'm hoping they're foxgloves......

[mumofstig]

They don't look quite right for foxgloves to me, a bit too vigorous, compared to mine 

If they were on an allotment I'd guess at comfrey 

[DD.]

It's a big hard to judge scale, but I think the leaves are too small for comfrey. I take it those flowers are something else.

My immediate reaction was "sage".

[mumofstig]

it'd have to be sage then, wouldn't it?

Thyme has tiny leaves like this..

[JayG]

I'd rule out thyme, sage, and foxgloves, and I agree with Mum it could be comfrey.

What do the leaves smell like if you crush them? (first two would definitely be ruled out if they smell herby and fragrant.)

[DD.]

You'll have to believe me on this, but for some reason I typed "thyme" when I meant "sage", I'd only just been looking how my seedlings of both - which are at either end of the same seed tray were coming on!

That explains my addled brain, I can supply photo evidence of said seed tray if needed to assist my defence.

[jonewer]

There's some bluebells in the 3rd photo for scale.

I'm pretty sure they're no form of sage. Does comfrey grow wild? These just arrived.....

Edit - reading about comfrey, I dont think its that either. Their roots are far to small to be comfrey. These seem to lack any tap roots.

[Steveharford]

I would say comfrey or borage although a little early for borage unless it overwintered. There will be no mistaking which one once it flowers though.

[jonewer]

Leaves are soft, squash easily between the fingers, no prickles. Also dont smell of anything much.

[sunshineband]

See those little bright blue flowers in that bottom piccie (not the bluebells  ) that is the clue

Borage's sister

Alkanet 

[jonewer]

See those little bright blue flowers in that bottom piccie (not the bluebells  ) that is the clue

Borage's sister

Alkanet 

Nope, sorry. All the blue flowers are bluebells..... its probably not very clear in the pics.

[mumofstig]

can't be borage if it is prickle-free 

[sunshineband]

We do have some foxgloves in our garden that have narrow leaves. they are soft and smell 'green' not herby at all

There are tight flower spikes inside the upright sections though

[Beetroot queen]

I know what it is ......................




It's a mystery  sorry not helping am I. I'd say comfrey, pick some and put it in a bucket of water, if in a few weeks it smells really awful and the neighbours have all moved out it's comfrey.  :happy:

[allotmentann]

I get foxgloves self sown with leaves like that - and comfrey (also self sown! ) that looks like that.The roots are very different though, foxgloves have a shallow, fibrous, mass of roots and the comfrey a tap root.