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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what these plants are?

61 replies

Stopthisshemozzle · 05/04/2017 17:58

So we have moved house and the garden has some plants which I think might be veg or edible in some way.... can anyone enlighten me?

To ask what these plants are?
To ask what these plants are?
To ask what these plants are?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Deux · 05/04/2017 18:22

If you google weed identification guide there are some good ones online.

Our lawn's a mess so I'll be looking for tips.

kurlique · 05/04/2017 18:36

Number 3 is green alkanet... we called it borage for years but it isn't! Quite hairy wouldn't rub the leaves personally! 2 Aquilegia is also called granny's bonnet... it is a cottage garden plant... dies back and then pops up again in spring.... you can buy all sorts of different varieties and colours but the original version is purple I think... I love'em!! Oh yeah and....Get rid of 4 NOW!!

Pettywoman · 05/04/2017 18:40

Poppy, aquilegia, the blue one is Alkanet.

MichaelSheensNextDW · 05/04/2017 18:41

The bees would much prefer the flowers

Ohyesiam · 05/04/2017 18:41

1 poppy
2 aquiliga , granny's bonnets
3 Brunnera
4 euphorbia
5 cowslip
6 forget me not, I think, should have at least buds by now, unless it's a biennial in it's first year.

Ohyesiam · 05/04/2017 18:42

No sorry, third one is alkanet.

Etymology23 · 05/04/2017 18:44

I don't think cowslips are super common any more, so you might want to read up on them before turning them into lawn.

arbrighton · 05/04/2017 18:45

Nothing edible, and nothing I would keep- the yellow flower is a primula

The blue one isn't forgetme not. But can't remember what it is. It has hairy leaves, they make me itch. Grows like a weed.

The first one is icelandic poppy

Agree re aquilegia but again, seeds everywhere and will spread- they have a deep taproot.

MyLittleBoyBlue · 05/04/2017 18:45

Came on to show off but have been beaten to it Grin
Agree with ohyesiam but would wager toward brunnera on number 3.
All lovely btw

arbrighton · 05/04/2017 18:46

Ah that's it OHYESIAM, alkanet for the blue one. Horrible leaves although the bees like it

glueandstick · 05/04/2017 18:49

Could 6 be viola seedlings? I need my glasses.

  1. Poppy
  2. Aquilegia
  3. Gah can't think of it. Know what it is... can't think.
4.Euphorbia
  1. Cowslip

I wouldn't be eating any of that.

glueandstick · 05/04/2017 18:50

6 is def not viola. I couldn't make out that it was one big plant!

TwattyMcTwatface · 05/04/2017 18:51

The one people are calling a primrose is a cowslip - primroses have open, flat flowers. They are endangered in the wild, though is some places they are prolific even so, so you should replant it rather than destroy. When the flower dies, either leave the dead head on, or take it off and lie it on to the grain/soil: that's the most efficient way to spread it. If you don't want them in your garden, consider replanting in a rural churchyard that's not overly manicured.

MewlingQuim · 05/04/2017 19:00
  1. Oriental poppy, big red or pink flowers.
  2. Aquilegia (granny's bonnet)
  3. Don't know name but it is a weed.
  4. Euphorbia, not sure of variety, possibly robbiae?
  5. Cowslip (wildflower)
  6. Don't know, but think it is a weed.

I would keep 1,2 and 5, get rid of 3 and 6.

Euphorbia (4) can be attractive in a shady garden or woodland, but it is invasive. I react horribly to the sap so I don't grow it. Best to get rid of it if you have little kids or pets.

Weedsnseeds1 · 05/04/2017 19:05

1 oriental poppy 2 aquiligia 3 borage ( you put the flowers in Pimm's, so this one is edible), 4 spurge( will cause skin burns if you touch sap) 5 cowslip ( flowers edible) 6 possibly young rose bay willow herb

Deux · 05/04/2017 19:22

The sap on the euphorbia (milkweed) is toxic. Picture 4.

Deux · 05/04/2017 19:23

No please don't put alkanet in your Pimms.

SacharissaCrisplock · 05/04/2017 19:24
  1. In our house is known as 'blue bastard' it's got really, really deep roots and either has tiny spines or something like that that means if you pull it up without gloves it hurts. We are not yet winning the war with them in our garden :(
MewlingQuim · 05/04/2017 19:24
  1. Is definitely not borage or mint, do not eat it!
Mumzypopz · 05/04/2017 19:26

2 is aquilegia, it spreads all on its own, but flowers are really pretty. 5 is cowslip, again really pretty, but usually found in fields. Not sure on the others but think most are weeds. I really don't think 1 is a poppy.

Deux · 05/04/2017 19:28

I resort to glyphosphate/Roundup if I come across any Blue Bastard (great name). I pull/ dig out as much as I can then spray weedkiller. Take no prisoners.

AlternativeTentacle · 05/04/2017 19:31

1 - oriental poppy
2 - aqualegia
3 - alkanet
4 - euphorbia / spurge
5 - cowslip
6 - forget me not

None of these are edible. That third one is NOT borage although alkanet is part of the borage family.

Yambabe · 05/04/2017 19:36

I think #6 is Alyssum, or a near relative of it?

Original poster
Stopthisshemozzle · 05/04/2017 19:45

Oh my goodness. I am in awe of the Mumsnetters plant knowledge. Incredible!

OP posts:
SacharissaCrisplock · 05/04/2017 20:26

Deux - I was thinking I might just nuke the whole garden from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

I bet even if I did, one of the blue bastards would be the first thing to come up again...