Anyone know what this is?

[CharlieandLolaCat]

Does anyone know what this might be? Half tempted to wait until it flowers but by that point it will have spread the seed if it is, as I suspect, a weed. Or at least, not something I have planted. I put a lot of stuff in the ground in spring and so the garden is a bit of a magical mystery tour as I have little recollection of what anything was or what it would ultimately look like ....

It looks like a willowherb, possibly great willowherb (weed), but not 100% sure. One suggestion to Google tho, daresay youll get some more!

Is it a snapdragon

@DogsSausages it looks a bit too tall for a snapdragon. I'm inclined to agree with @candycane222 , my first thought was rosebay willowherb.

It does look like willowherb to me too.

Thanks all, I think you're right. Just been reading how hard it is to kill!

Half tempted to wait until it flowers but by that point it will have spread the seed if it is, as I suspect, a weed.

I suspect you're right that it is, as PP say, a willow herb which you don't want to seed. But that doesn't mean you can't wait till the first flowers show to be sure - just make sure you don't let it set seed.

Does look like a willow herb, though not rosebay. Great willow herb has downy leaves - if it’s that it’s worth leaving for the flowers, which are deep pink with a contrasting white stigma. But take flowers off before they seed. The seeds don’t form until the flowers are dying. And they don’t release seeds until the seed pods are ripe. So you will have time to enjoy the flowers.

Which goes to show what I know about the life cycle of a plant! Thanks all, shall let them flower before I try and destroy them!

I wouldn't let it flower if I were you - they aren't worth the hassle and if it does run to seed you will have 20 million of them this time next year.

@MustardRose

I wouldn't let it flower if I were you - they aren't worth the hassle and if it does run to seed you will have 20 million of them this time next year.

I disagree. Great willowherb is very much worth the hassle, and it's not hard to cut them back once they've flowered - it takes time between the dying of the flower and the seed being ripe enough to disperse.

www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/plant-fungi-species/great-willowherb