anyone know

what these flowers are?

hi everyone. i have these two plants that i havent a clue what they are. the first was sold to me around 3 years ago as a delphinium, but i have never seen anything like it again. if it is a delph then does it have a common name?


the next plant is around 5 foot tall and its the first time this year i have seen it. i dont remember planting it and its among the hollyhocks. i think theres 3 of them and to be honest it looks like a weed, any guesses?

close up of flower

thanks for your help!

 

Hi Sandy
The first one is Monkshood - Aconitum - not sure which variety though, definitely NOT a delphinium & all parts are poisonous so be careful when you handle it (Also known as Wolfsbane). The second one looks suspiciously like Rosebay Willowherb -Epilobium angustifolium(also known as fireweed)What are the seedheads like? Both are perennials, the last (if it is Rosebay willowherb) is usually described as a weed, but I think its quite attractive - there's a white form too.

 

thanks for the reply bayleaf, wow i would never thought of it as anything but delphinium. will be careful near it but as ive had it 3 years already i'm still alive!i got it from homebase and it was deffinately marked in with the delphs as being one of them and i picked it because the leaves were so different though it hadnt flowered at the time.
thought the second was a weed, but its so pretty and blends in well with the other tall flowers that i will keep it. i havent seen any seedheads yet but when they come i will post a pic.
thanks again!

 

I dont know what the second one is but I personally dont think its rosebay willow herb, the individual flowers are too big

 

I go with Bayleaf on the second - rosebay willowherb. You will know for certain when it sets seed - take a picture to confirm - pretty but can be a thug.

The first, I don't know - looks like Aconite with its hooded flowers, but that colour I have never seen before. Beautiful, and I would give it garden space

 

Rosebay is a more pointed single stem with smaller flowers. Looks more like Great willow herb. Brook 100yds away and Rosebay everywhere,it gets into the garden and is a pain.

 

it will only be there for this season and as soon as it sets seed and i get a pic i will pull it out whatever it is. thanks.
fran glad you like it, when i first got it, it wasnt white but blue and where the light blue is it was a darker blue.

 

Definitely worth cultivating

 

will i get seeds from the aconitum? its not something ive thought about. i will look out for seeds and if i get any do you want some or will they not sow as i only ever have one plant each year?

[ 24. July 2005, 06:15 PM: Message edited by: sandy ]

 

i told my hubby they were weeds and he promptly went out and pulled them out. In doing so the roots were wrapped around my hollyhocks and brought those up as well. he replanted them but they have drooped and i tried to water them, but it looks like they are dying. is there anything i can do to save tnem?

 

Mmmmm - as they are perrenials, then yes they will, but they will not have liked that for this season. Give em some support, and don't let them dry out (but don't waterlog), and you may get some result this season - in a week or so.

I trust you were polite when responding to his assistance :D - and I hope you didn't lose that purple and white one.

 

thanks fran but it doesnt look good for my hollyhocks they are really withering and i'm not happy as they were literally a week from flowering. they will come back next year wont they?

the monkshood is fine, no damage done there.

 

Yes as Fran said, drop them in again just a bit deeper and keep them well watered and staked...if nothing else, at least you get them back next year and possibly seeds this year.
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Ladybird