Solved Anyone know this weed?

Got some compost from the community composting centre in Thornbury. Suddenly this weed under a cloche is growing like mad. Never seen it before. Any ideas what it is at all? it takes about a week to get from the small size to the bigger size :-(

It has a kinda furry texture if that helps.

Really hoping its nothing too serious :(



Any thoughts guys?

Andy

 

Hi Andy, I don't think it's a weed as such. To me it looks like Digitalis ( foxgloves ).

 

Thanks Anthony. I was worried in case it was knotweed or something. Im amazed it lived through the composting process. Its growing about 3 times faster than the Brussel sprouts LOL

Looked it up on wikipedia. seems it grows to about 9 feet tall which is a little tall for where I live. Does it have any beneficial value at all? Or should I just put weed killer on it all?

Thanks again

 

They rarely get that tall, are very pretty and usually die off after flowering (biennial). I pot them up, grow them on and use them to fill gaps in places where other things might struggle. They will probably be pink or white.

 

Nice. Thanks Charlie. Ok i will do that. I think i know a good spot

 

Sorry this could be a stupid suggestion but could it be mint? x

 

I was thinking that. Does it smell of mint?

 

You may be right Loki. the leaves on the pics I'm looking at for mint however look a little too pointed at the tip compared to the ones i have growing. But it could be some variety for all i know. Im far from knowledgable.

Doesn't have a strong mint smell if it has one at all.

Does mint have a furry texture to the leaves? Never handled it.

 

suggest
Hi, some do but please don't put it in your jersey royals, make sure you know for certain, I would hate to be "done" for food poisoning, always make sure, ever so many edibles look like nasty, evil beasts.

 

This is what a Foxglove seedling looks like.
Don't think it looks right for that.

http://www.downgardenservices.org.uk/seedlingfoxgl.JPG

http://www.theseedbasket.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Foxglove-Digitalis-Seedling-Image.jpg

 

My first thought was mint too. There are many varieties, I think I have at least half a dozen, and the intensity of the smell varies, some don't even smell of mint. Yes, most do have hairy leaves to a greater or lesser degree. However, mint is generally vigorous so if you put it in a pot you should see long roots quite quickly if it is of that family.

I couldn't get a sense of size from your photo. Most mint leaves aren't much bigger than a finger nail unless they're on very old plants whereas Digitalis leaves get as big as Dandelions.

Could you take it along to a garden centre? They will often help with identification and you could also compare with whatever they're selling.

 

Hi, just asked oh, chef, thinks it is def not mint. As I said please don't
Listen to me! Omg, please tell me me you didn't chop it into your salad!

 

Could it be plantain or daisy?

 

I was thinking valerian or foxglove. I have both in the garden (growing like Topsy, as they do this time of year). Will go out and take a photo of both of them when I have finished my porridge...

 

Looks like Borage to me, that would be furry.