ID please

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Jinty, Aug 6, 2006.

  1. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    Hi Folks,
    I have been "lurking around" on this site for a couple of months now and have learnt a lot. Thanks to you all.
    This is my second summer in my first "proper" garden.
    Last year I transplanted my favourite plant and it has since thrived. It has the most delicate old-fashioned scent. I have no idea what it is.
    I think it was bought at a plant sale in Gatehouse-of-Fleet a few years ago.
    I realise that the photo is not too clear. I might try to borrow a tripod to help get a better picture.
    TIA
    Jinty

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  2. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    Here is a better photo.

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  3. Liz

    Liz Gardener

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    It's a very pretty variety of phlox.
     
  4. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    Hi Liz,
    Thanks again! (I got a black dalek compost bin for zero pounds from the council - probably don't empty and mix as often as I should)
    Phlox that rings true - why didn't I think of that?
    Can phlox have leaves where the veins run parallel?

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  5. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    I do not ever remember seeing a double flowered phlox paniculata before. The back of the flower looks like either a Silene or perhaps a Saponaria. I will try and find a decent picture of one for comparison.
     
  6. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    Could be Saponaria officinalis?

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  7. Paladin

    Paladin Gardening...A work of Heart

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    All of my Phlox have this leaf pattern.
    [​IMG]
     
  8. Liz

    Liz Gardener

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    [​IMG]
    Saponaria Officinalis leaf! Looks right!
     
  9. roders

    roders Total Gardener

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  10. Liz

    Liz Gardener

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  11. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    Excellent!
    You are all brilliant.
    Thanks for being so helpful.
    I like the flowers too much to consider using the roots for soap.
    I remember having what I thought was soapwort in another garden - it was like a ground cover plant and had lovely dainty pink flowers that lasted nearly all summer. I thought that the thick (about 3" stem) was the "soap".
     
  12. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Well, that saves me having to find a decent picture. Serves me right for going for a walk down the lane does it not? We have S. o. flora plena rubra and it is one of the most invasive thugs in the garden. I have been trying to get rid of it for ages, it even laughs at Roundup!
     
  13. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    I thought it spread by layering and possibly rhizomes. But the fact that it has spread so well in the last year could possibly be due to it seeding.
    I bought it at a plant sale years ago (maybe 1 or 2 before the foot and mouth disaster). It survived in deep damp shade (forgotten about under a lot of weeds). It then survived for a couple of years in damp shade after that, was in a pot for a year (moved house) and now it is thriving wonderfully ( full sun for half the day).
    Scent is delicate but delicious! May have a hint of clove, definately a sweet "old-fashioned scent"
    The link posted (by Liz) says it can be pretty invasive and I think that may very well be true.
     
  14. Jinty

    Jinty Gardener

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    S. o. flora plena rubra?
    would that be the same but different?
    I think the one I have is beautiful - but then I thought that the (Spanish) bluebells in my new garden were pretty until I got to know them better!
     
  15. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Deeper pink thats all. It does not set seed (most double flowers are sterile), it spreads by roots.
     
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