Inula Magnifica

Wow!....magnificent Scots...Wish i had space for something like that...:>)

Most interesting blog. Thank you.

They're wonderful. I didn't realise they grew so big. It must be nice to have them in your gaden. They seem to shine :o)

Gorgeous, I have one very similar Inula 'Racemosa' the flowers are in all the leaf axils on mine,they've loved all the rain this year haven't they, know just what you mean about the leaves I've been chopping some off too,lol :-))

Oh wow and colour just when you need it. Does it need a lot of water?

I haven't heard of this one before ,but it's a lovely plant..I guess they take up a lot of space,Scotsgran,so one would probably be enough in a small garden...just the right time to see a lovely splash of yellow :o)

Looks a bit like my Inula Helenium, my word it gets tall too, but eh the flowers are amazing and the bees and insects love it. I bought mine by mistake (garden centre mistake really with wrong label) I put it in my big border (at the edge because it was supposed to be a primula) I thought that Jack had been and planted his beans it grew that big, I had no idea what it was until Karensue came up with the answer. Moved it into the wild flower area up near the fishpond and it just grows as big as it feels like and is quite something when it is in flower. The leaves of this plant are huge too. Warning though anyone thinking of having them they are HUGE!

Don't know about yours Barbara but mine self seeds like mad and if you don't get them out when small they're a beggar to get out later, I've tried moving some and just ended up with them in both places, very pretty though :-)

Yes mine does seed itself Kathy, in fact the mole moved one all the way across a path, (it was a grass path) and it has grown up alongside a rose arch. lol. amazing plants, I am so pleased I bought mine by mistake. lol.

What a lovely reaction from all of you. Thank you for looking. I bought this one on a Suntrap Garden Club outing to Inwood near Musselburgh. It probably uses up at least 1square metre. The bottom leaves were at least 18" long and about 12" wide at the widest point. Because it is so tall I was toying with the idea of moving it in to the shrubbery but I would need to remove the seeds which I had planned to allow the birds to use as winter feed. This is the first time it has flowered. It has obviously enjoyed the wet summer because it did not flower last year. I would think one would be enough in most gardens because it did block out light to other shorter plants. Happy mistake Oiveoil, I'll have a look at I.Racemosa and I.Helenium as both sound very interesting. I have a Helenium which I bought on a club visit to the Frog Garden. The flowers are much smaller but it is supposed to grow in excess of 6'. I only got it this year and already it is over 5'.

Mine is well over 6ft. it gets to be rather large, but now it is in the right place that is ok. lol. Think also where we are with a wood surrounding us the plants all grow taller towards the light which makes even tall plants taller I suppose. :O)

I had a quick look at both of the others and all seem to have similar descriptions. They seem to be recommended for drying.

What an amazing flower....you must be very pleased it finally decided to flower for you Sheila. I'm glad it is enjoying your garden.

Oh wow!!!! thats a beauty, I`ve never seen it before, I`ll have to give that one a try, added to my favs and wishlist....

What a fantastic plant, Scotsgran - I love it! Speaking of Suntrap, what's happening on that front?

I am very pleased it likes the garden Scottish. I am just amazed at its spectacular growth this year. From what I'm hearing from others there should be plenty of seeds and they spread around easily so Linclass I can send you some if you want. I think you would probably be best to sow them immediately without any fuss about heat etc.

Mel, sorry I forgot to answer about Suntrap. There are two houses on the site. Millbuies, which is owned by Oatridge College, was the owners house and he built a house for a gardener too. It is Suntrap. The National Trust for Scotland own Suntrap. The ground, 3 acres approximately, is split between them. The owners have put both houses up for sale and both have a closing date of 18th September. It will not be long now till we hear who has bought what and what their plans are for the future of the properties.

I have just the one Inula, but is a different variety altogether and hasn't grown more than 3 foot. The flowers are smaller too. I haven't seen this one before. Its amazing.

It is Rose. If you want some seeds I'll let you know if I manage to collect some.

Thanks Scotsgran, that would be lovely.

Wow that would be great for my tropical garden!

If I do manage to save seed I'll let you know too Tropicalbabe. It cerainly has the lush appearance you would expect in the tropics.

I shall keep my fingers crossed for the garden, Scotsgran.

Thanks Mel.