Winter CAN be interesting! part 2.

41 comments

Well, I got you all thinking about the ‘mystery plant’ at the end of part 1, didn’t I! It was this one….

Here’s another of the seed heads. I still think they look like a group of little furry creatures!

So what is it? It’s the prettiest shrub that I grow, flowering in May and June. Its name is Kolkwitzia amabilis, aka ‘Beauty Bush’.

Its flowers look like this:

Kolkwitzia amabilis

So now you know! Are you any the wiser, having seen what it is? If you haven’t come across this lovely shrub – I can recommend it.

OK – on to the next seed head. I think that most people will recognise this one instantly!

Nigella damascena

Nigella from the top

And here’s the flower – it’s dificult to say exactly when Nigella are in flower, because mine seed themselves, and I get two sets of flowers each year! So although they’re annuals, I don’t have to keep buying more seeds each year. It’s a good one for a gravel garden!

Nigella damascena ‘Miss Jekyll’

The next one is such a distinctive shape that many of you will recognise it, too.

Acanthus mollis

Here’s the stately spires of this highly architectural plant. It can be more than a little difficult to restrain in the place you want it – and its roots go down to Australia – so be warned, if you want a clump in your garden!

Acanthus mollis

On to the next seed heads. These look like little fluffy mops, don’t they! Now please don’t tell me off for not knowing the exact cultivar – it was a gift from my friend up the lane, and she didn’t know its name!

Aster

Here are the flowers, though, and very pretty they are, too. They flowered in late September, into October.

Another familiar seed head, I think. I do leave these on every winter, as they look wonderful touched by the frost.

Sedum spectabile

And a close-up of the flower – as you know, this is a butterfly magnet! It also flowers in late summer into autumn.

Sedum spectabile

I think it’s time for the mystery seed head – so here it is! I hope it’s not too easy, this time.

I’ll reveal all tomorrow – unless someone recogises it before I post the next instalment!

25 Nov, 2009
12 likes

Comments

Sanbaz

lovely blog barbara, is it scabiosa seedhead?
ps, wouldnt have known the last one at all :o)

25 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

one of the mentha?
and i didnt think to look at shrubs. I am so cross with myself. but i suppose you never said it was herbaceous.

25 Nov, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

Is it a Clematis?

25 Nov, 2009

Hywel

I don't know the mystery seed head sorry :o((
I think it's nice to keep the dried heads. I get ideas for pottery from them.
Why do plants that grow rampantly in other people's gardens not grow atall for me. I refer to Acanthus this time. I tried it after moving here. It grew into a nice plant for one season, but then died :o((

25 Nov, 2009

Wagger

Echinops! Sorry, not swearing at you Hywel, :-)

25 Nov, 2009

Sanbaz

that was one wagger i just couldnt think of name though, so i went for another :o))

25 Nov, 2009

Jacque

Another fab blog Spritz i think the seed head is of Chives :) ??

25 Nov, 2009

Ginellie

Looks like that blue thing in my front garden - Hywel was going to get one so he knows what it's called!

25 Nov, 2009

Muddywalters

I'm with Jacque on this one - Chives.

25 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

if those leaves in the shot belong to it it wont be chives. but i have been 'fooled' by spritz before!!!!!

25 Nov, 2009

Dottydaisy2

Wagger I agree Echinops ritro, pity I have not got a torch , so I could rush up the garden and have a look...........will look tomorrow lol

25 Nov, 2009

Toto

Another great blog Spritz. Thank you.

25 Nov, 2009

Muddywalters

Oooh yeah - can I change my mind ? Echinops ritro ! ! ! How many times can I change my mind ? Tee hee !

25 Nov, 2009

Ian_digs_v2

So my idea that it was a Clematis is a non starter then?

25 Nov, 2009

Sanbaz

a none starter ian,, they are more fairy like from what mine look like anyway :o)
i still think scabiosa or echinops :o) fingers crossed lol

25 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

spritz is being very quiet dont you think? she is probably sitting in a corner rocking with laughter:o)))))

25 Nov, 2009

Wagger

If she is, I'll smear her with dog food and set Henry on her - he'll lick her to death.

25 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

i agree wagger. she is such a tease.

25 Nov, 2009

Sanbaz

think your right sea,, she will be giggling away there keeping us in suspence again lol

25 Nov, 2009

Amblealice

Great blogs Spritz...keeps us all on our toes........Knautia??/

25 Nov, 2009

Mavisc52

I am hopeless at this sort of thing but can I guess cornflower.

25 Nov, 2009

Amy

Is it Ceratostigma .. Hardy Plumbago Spritz .....

25 Nov, 2009

Spritzhenry

Sorry - we've been out at a Historical Society meeting - all about a street in the village up the hill - and who lived there, their trades etc. All true and fascinating!

OK - what have you all been suggesting?

Scabiosa? No.
Mentha? No.
Clematis? No.
Echinops? No.
Knautia? No.
Coneflower? No.

Sorry, all wrong! Think again. LOL. Oh, your poor brains must be hurting!

25 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

if it is a shrub again i will scream!!!
so kerria thats a shrub. and on that note i am going to bed.
night night.
xx

25 Nov, 2009

Muddywalters

Agastache ?

25 Nov, 2009

Dottydaisy2

It looks like something that has a fluffy flower head?
you might give us a clue..........I hope it is not a weed........

25 Nov, 2009

Pipsqueak

Tired again tonight so only the one guess Thrift/Armeria :~))

25 Nov, 2009

Drc726

Allium of some kind?

25 Nov, 2009

Hywel

I've been trying to figure out what the leaves are but I can't see them properly.
It must be something with a globular flower head - is it Astrantia ?

26 Nov, 2009

Amblealice

Cirsium?

26 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

how about verbena rigida? that has a globlar flower head.

26 Nov, 2009

Spritzhenry

I won't be posting any weed seedheads, I assure you, DD!! I'd be too worried about the seeds going everywhere in the garden!

Not Verbena, Cirsium, Astrantia, Allium or Armeria. :-((

26 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

what about Ceratostigma, amy suggested it.
also other suggestions from me sweetwilliam or the phlox that has a smaller more delicate flower.
eryingium but foliage doesnt look ok for it either.
oh spritz this is brill for keeping me occupied. bless you.

26 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

another shrub possibility caryopteris terminal panicle.

26 Nov, 2009

Dottydaisy2

Can I have another guess monarda?

26 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

dont see why not dd2 as i keep having another go. she's gone very quiet again!

26 Nov, 2009

Seaburngirl

looks also cornflowerish, but cant see the back of the flowerhead.