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Flower or weed?

LokelaniLokelani Posts: 112
in Plants

This massive plant appeared in the border in spring, shot up in no time with huge foliage & is now flowering. The speed & size suggests a weed to me & the slightly tatty look of the leaves & flowers. The flower is a recent picture, the foliage from a few weeks ago, it is larger still now & multiheaded in flowering.

However, I did buy some unusual plants from a plant sale that were unlabelled & I don't want to pull it out if it is some type of perennial sunflower or similar. 

 

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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,726

    Wonderful!  Inula magnifica  http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/419.shtml 

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Ooo, never seen that before, i like image
  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Don't know what it is but it's certainly impressive.  It could be one of the dandelion/knapweed/sow thistle group which are common weeds.  If the flowers start to turn into fruiting heads with loads of dandelion-like fruits, whip 'em off and get 'em in the bin/incinerator asap or it'll be all over the garden and neighbouring counties.  In the meantime I should just enjoy it as an architectural plant. 

     

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    Ah well - there you are.  There's always someone who knows!  Thanks Dove (and congratulations on appearing in print!)

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,726

    It is well named - magnificent!!! image

    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • LokelaniLokelani Posts: 112

    That's excellent, thank you! I knew someone on here would know. image

    I may have to move it though, as it's right on top of the David Austin Golden Celebration rose I planted a couple of years ago which is still really low & floppy. It's totally hiding it really! 

    Any ideas when the best time to move it would be? It would be a shame to lose it, perhaps I should leave it to seed & collect some & wait until next year then if there are more it won't feel so risky. Or just cut it back hard after flowering, a perennial should survive that I guess. 

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,974

    you can cut it back any time but I'd move it after it dies back in autumn



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LokelaniLokelani Posts: 112

    Thanks!

  • LokelaniLokelani Posts: 112

    That's excellent, thank you! I knew someone on here would know. image

    I may have to move it though, as it's right on top of the David Austin Golden Celebration rose I planted a couple of years ago which is still really low & floppy. It's totally hiding it really! 

    Any ideas when the best time to move it would be? It would be a shame to lose it, perhaps I should leave it to seed & collect some & wait until next year then if there are more it won't feel so risky. Or just cut it back hard after flowering, a perennial should survive that I guess. 

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