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Plant in pot leftover from last year - identify?

yarrow2yarrow2 Posts: 782

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These plants are in separate small pots standing next to each other.  The little pink flowers on the bottom plant are Nemesia 'Amelie' which have bloomed (though now poorly) for the past 3 years - don't feel I can throw away if it still blooms no matter how weakly.   I've left it in the picture to give you a perspective of size to the plant above it.   The top plant with the black patches on the leaves is a mystery to me.  I don't remember it last year and I don't remember any plant with black patches.  No idea if it's meant to have the black patches or if something has gone wrong somewhere!     Does anyone know what it is?   It has three strong looking woody-type stems about 8" high which have the same amount of foliage high up the stem - but it looks as if it was more bushy in it's original state.  Maybe it was meant to be an annual but just don't remember it.  Not sure whether to keep it or get rid.  Does it look like a tiny fuchsia?

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  • LilylouiseLilylouise Posts: 1,013

    It looks a bit like a Petunia of some sort to me - not sure about the black patches,though.

    Pam x

  • Janet 4Janet 4 Posts: 63

    Yes it does look like a petunia. But also reminds me of my oregano plants that I have everywhere. Bees love their little mauve flowers later in the year. Crush the leaves, do they smell?  I get a lot of snap dragons, Antirrihnums(?) self seeding in my garden, and cannot throw them away, but they will take over a flower bed as they are so prolific but flower ALL summer.

  • marshmellomarshmello Posts: 683

    Can you take a picture of them stems ?

    From the foliage seen in the pic, it does look like petunia. However, petunia's, not that I've ever seen, have woody stems nor do they generally survive a winter. The leaves look too round at the tip to be a fushia. The black patches look to me, to be frost damage, young leaves are generally more sensitive.

    Example - fushia in pic below

    image

  • yarrow2yarrow2 Posts: 782

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    Thanks Janet4, Pam and marshmello - I think it has to be a Petunia.  I did have Surfinia 'Purple Wave' last year.  You can see I'd snapped off some of the stems at some point - must have concluded the plant was done-in after winter wet.  And now it's growing.  Do you think it would be sensible to try and take cuttings from this?  Although, somebody told me that these Petunias are supposed to be annuals only and that it's either difficult or a forlorn hope to try and propagate them.

    Thanks so much for responding.  Petunia is the only thing it can be I think.  I'd put the pot in the 'rubbish' corner so must have assumed it had ceased to be!

    Further advice would be great if anyone has time.  Thanks again.


     

  • LilylouiseLilylouise Posts: 1,013

    Yarrow - you can take cuttings of Surfinias image If the black bit doesn't seem healthy I would pinch it out.Cuttings should root easily in a small pot in multipurpose compost in a propagator or with a freezer bag over them - put them somewhere warm but not in direct sunlight ! I hope they grow for you image

    Pam x

  • yarrow2yarrow2 Posts: 782

    Janet 4 - apologies, forgot to say leaves don't smell.  I love Antirrhinums as well.  Have left some in from last year but they're pretty straggly and not sure if they'll come to anything.  But loved the vibrant colours so much just couldn't dig up and throw away.

  • yarrow2yarrow2 Posts: 782

    Pam - that's good news.  I'm having a vague memory that when I bought them as plugs, the leaves probably did have that tinge of dark purple/black to them until they grew on.  It doesn't smudge or come off on my fingers or wipe off so it must be natural - I think!   I'll certainly try cuttings. They were such a wonderful colour - especially after rain.  When in bloom they withstood weeks of showers.  Thanks so much.  image

  • LilylouiseLilylouise Posts: 1,013

    Let's hope the cuttings root well for you - I love it when I take cuttings and get plants for free image

    Pam x

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