Phytolacca americana berries.

Quite stunning!

it's not so stunning when it's overtaken your whole property and your dogs are always trying to eat it for some reason, even though it tastes horrific, and you're finding piles of purple vomit all over the place. However.....the dead stems are atttractive in a creepy sort of way and make good Halloween decorations. It's one of those native plants I could easily do without. But birds love the berries.

I always marvel to read about where in the world plants are native - although I'm sorry this one is such a pain for you, Laura.

I hope Henry doesn't decide to taste it - but it is at the back of a border, and he knows he's not allowed on the flowerbeds.

It's pretty - but there's just so much of it! I've chopped it down and torn it up and it always comes back, bigger and healthier than before (mine top 9 feet). It grows in the fern garden in the shade and in bright sunshine. If the tortoises could eat it, I'd be set - I'd never have to raid the "manager's special" bins for spoiled fruit at Kroger's ever again! But of course - like every other plant that grows in abundance at my place - it's poisonous. I have the next three days off of work and my goal is to get rid of some of the pokeweed (and also cut the grass, a task I've neglected for weeks due to the heat).

Mine was new this year and it's in the shade, growing happily there. It's only about 3' tall, though. I know it'll die back over winter here.

Amazing to hear of the size of yours! How hot is it, by the way?

wonderful looking plant

Amazing! Like a beetle infestation!

your right Karen it does look like that.

YUK!! Beetles!! I won't be able to look at it now...:-(((

It's been in the 90s and sometimes upper 90s every single day for three months. We've all had enough. I hate the cold weather - last winter was especially cold - but I'm ready for some chilly temperatures. And it's humid. Don't worry, your pokeweed will survive the winter well and come back with a vengeance next year. Expect to see lots of little pokelings sprouting up all over the place. Did you actually pay for this plant LOL????

Yes, sure did! I got it a plant fair - it created a lot of interest, too! You don't see them over here.

lol! I do have a habit of putting people off their plants B!! ;)

At least it's not right by the door or within sight! lol.

lol!! :))

I should go into the pokeweed business! It might pay my giant vet bills....

You should indeed! Sorry about the bills - I gather that Tiger isn't insured - or don't you have pet insurance over there?

We can get pet insurance - I used to have it - but it would bankrupt me to carry it on all of my pets. I canceled it years and years ago because it was just like human health insurance - they tried to avoid covering everything they could. It would have been impossible to get coverage for Tiger anyway because he was already ten years old and therefore a senior cat when he came to live with me. If I have a vet bill, I just have to whip out my Visa and deal with it.

I can understand that. Henry's premiums cost enough on their own!

i thort they were bugs lol

Nope! LOL.

on 1st site haha

LOL. Look closer! ;-)

lo need to go 2 speksavers lol ;0))))

LOL.

haha x

I saw this plant on another garden site and fell in love with it, never heard of it before, but managed to get some seed from Chilterns, on the web some say the seed need a period of cold to get them going others say they don't,can't be doing with that taking in and out of the fridge lark, so thought I'd sow half the seed autumn in the cold greenhouse and save the rest till spring, usually works with primula and iris,sowed early September and guess what I'm so excited as noticed they're germinating already, only problem now is hope they're ok in the cold greenhouse as they're only just sprouting, may move them indoors if it gets too cold.
Thought you'd have this plant Barbara :-), do you find it very invasive? love my huge perennials so this was a must have :-)

How can I break it to you - it didn't survive the winter. :-((

I'm pleased to hear that Chiltern stock the seeds, as I miss it, and I shall try again from seeds. :-)

Oh no its definitely coming inside then, till it gets a bit bigger, shame about yours Barbara:-( seems to be easy from seed though.

That's good to know. :-)