The previous Libertia had flat 'spikes' whereas these are 'rounded'.

Looks like a rush or sedge to me Sheila, possibly just something that grew in the pot?

Yes, it looks like that to me , too. I get these cropping up in the garden. The stems of the ones I get are hollow.

Yes, that's what it is. They have no garden value, can be invasive in damp areas and are difficult to remove. I am afraid that it is one for the bucket, Sheila.

I think the seeds were in the compost and came up when it was wet.

Thanks Moon grower, Ojibway, Bulbaholic and Beattie. You must be right as these stems are hollow . . . it's not a thing of beauty, so I was thinking of chucking it anyway. I'm very grateful for your input!

Its juncus a very common rush found usually in damp ground.

Would you like some replacement Libertia Sheila? I have some which usually produce a few seedlings every year. The only trouble is that they look very like the adjacent Kaffir Lilies....

That's very kind Beattie, but I have masses of seedlings of the "common" Libertia. The one that I bought in the pot (and died!) was Libertia 'taupo blaze' which is lovely but quite unusual (and possibly not hardy?).

Thanks Dgw . . . all I need is a pond then.

It's always the special plants that turn up their toes! Sorry to hear it was a special, Sheila

Thanks Beattie. Spritzhenry has at least one, so you might be able to grow it where you are. But Knoll Gardens (Dorset) have told me they no longer sell it because it is too tender.