Mystery plant

I must have planted this at some stage, it had leaves last year but no flowers. It rings no bells at all with me, does anyone recognise it, please?


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

Hi Liz

How tall is the plant ? and flower spike ?

How large are the leaves ?

Does it die back to the ground over winter or is it ever green ?

Spruce

 

Hi Spruce,
the plant has a stem of 2-3". The leaves are roughly hand sized,and last year appeared in this same distinctive formation of 4. The flower buds are up to 1/2" in size and have been on it for ages- they look as if there may be blue petals if they ever open. It dies back completely in winter. I've planted it my shady area in moist soil, so hopefully this is what it likes.

 

I think I've got one but can't for the life of me remember its name. i'll just pop out and see if there's a label..........


Chunter.....


chunter...


chunter...


No, sorry, no label. It is a shade/ moisture lover, though and has fetching raspberry pink flowers in the spring as well as good textured foliage. A big well-grown plant is a handsome thing. I think it's one of the labiatae family.

 

I've looked at yours more closely and it's not the same as mine. Yours is more glossy and leathery looking. Could it be related to mysotidium? Chatham island forget me not, which is blue, although i thought the leaves were more smooth than your plant.

 

It resembles Bergenia, elephants ears?

 

Could it be a non-variegated Pulmonaria, of the Lungwort family?

 

It is a wonderful shrub in the hydrangea family.
Deinanthe. Probably Deinanthe caerulea.
Flowering right now.

Deinanthe caerulea - Google Search

 

Well done you

I thought this one was going to run a couple of days

Spruce

 

That's it! I remember the name now... I bought it 3 years ago from Rare Plants sale, thought it had died. Must be quite hardy to have survived last winter.
What a lovely surprise! I hope the flowers do open, they look really pretty in the search images.
Thanks to all for replies.