Can anyone identify this??

Ask Andrearichter - she lives on the IOW and often goes to the Botanic Gardens. She would look at its name for you, or ask. Send her a PM - she won't mind!

That would give the definitive answer Spritz wouldnt it - Andrea would be able to identify the exact specimen.

The description and size reminds me of Paulownia tormentosa , the foxglove tree but that would be a somewhat uneducated guess.

Thanks for that. I have a Paulownia in the garden and although it's similar, it's not that but thanks anyway, I'll ask Andrea.

Hi Stevewelch
I will have to go to the gardens and take a look. Unfortunately the plant in question may not look like this until Spring/Summer. I have to say it looks like a Paulownia that has been pollarded the year before, but I will have a look for you when I get a chance. Did you say it was in the same area of the garden with the Tetrapanax and the banana?

Hi, I've found the plant you mean, however, I don't know the variety, I have posted a couple of pictures of it on my photos

I think it is Senecio petasitis, have a look on google images just to confirm, I identified this for another member back in 2007 who lived on the Algarve, the flowers start off as red buds and then turn into yellow flowers

Thanks very much, what a star!