Solved Bit of a mystery.

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by NigelJ, Sep 18, 2025.

  1. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    9,072
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +29,004
    This beastie appeared about 5 years ago in spring and I thought initially it was a hyacinth which I have had in that space before. However it didn't flower or die back it stayed there until winter. Since then it has popped up every year gradually getting bigger and producing more of a rosette. I've been waiting for a flower, but it seems reluctant.
    I have no idea where it came from, I didn't sow or plant anything in that bed.
    Any educated guesses.
    P1070271.JPG
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Pete8

      Pete8 Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 29, 2017
      Messages:
      1,046
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Billericay, Essex
      Ratings:
      +2,640
      Google suggests- Aletris farinosa ->
      I'm not sure tho, the leaves are similar but not identical

      [​IMG]

      or I thought maybe a lily that's maturing - very slowly, and will flower when big enough.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • LG_

        LG_ Super Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 13, 2024
        Messages:
        170
        Location:
        SE London
        Ratings:
        +695
        Eucomis springs to mind. But that's just a guess, not a particularly educated one!
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 12, 2016
          Messages:
          2,884
          Gender:
          Female
          Occupation:
          Retired Software engineer
          Location:
          Rural Carmarthenshire
          Ratings:
          +7,287
          When it dies down for winter, how about potting it up and having a good look at the bulb to see if it gives any clue?
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Palustris

            Palustris Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Oct 23, 2005
            Messages:
            3,829
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            West Midlands
            Ratings:
            +3,368
            Looks like the leaves just emerging on our Scilla peruviana
             
          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jan 31, 2012
            Messages:
            9,072
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Mad Scientist
            Location:
            Paignton Devon
            Ratings:
            +29,004
            Scilla peruviana did cross my mind, mine are just poking through in a different bed, but they disappear over summer and then reemerge while this beastie has been there all summer.
            I think I'll have to have a furtle around and see what's underneath and then cross fingers and hope for a flower.
             
          • Jenny namaste

            Jenny namaste Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Mar 11, 2012
            Messages:
            18,904
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            retired- blissfully retired......
            Location:
            Battle, East Sussex
            Ratings:
            +34,581
            Very interesting thread
            Jenny namaste
             
            • Agree Agree x 1
            • simone_in_wiltshire

              simone_in_wiltshire Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 16, 2024
              Messages:
              1,611
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              NE Wiltshire, UK
              Ratings:
              +7,317
              It could be an Eucomis, Pineapple flower native South Africa, or Camassio, so the Burford garden center expert
               
              Last edited: Sep 21, 2025
            • NigelJ

              NigelJ Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 31, 2012
              Messages:
              9,072
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Mad Scientist
              Location:
              Paignton Devon
              Ratings:
              +29,004
              It could be a Eucomis, but from where?
              Curiously I spotted that leaves had appeared on a Eucomis in a different bed yesterday; completely different in form to these and I really need to move those to a more suitable space
               
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              56,454
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +110,188
              Just to stir things it looks a bit Fritillary like to me.
               
            • Obelix-Vendée

              Obelix-Vendée Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 13, 2024
              Messages:
              3,095
              Gender:
              Female
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Vendée, France.
              Ratings:
              +9,402
              @NigelJ I grew eucomis in pots when we lived in Belgium and stood them on a couple of manhole covers in a front, south facing bed because I was told they were too nesh for wintering in the ground. They self seeded with gay abandon and not just in the immediate soil and proved to be hardier than you'd think.
               
            • Philippa

              Philippa Gardener

              Joined:
              Aug 3, 2019
              Messages:
              1,225
              Location:
              West Somerset
              Ratings:
              +2,513
              It does look Eucomis like. Inclined to agree with @CarolineL tho I'd take it up now and remove the soil so that you can see what it's actually growing from . If it's been going for 5 years and still looking that healthy, I can't see you damaging it by taking it up. As you want to move it anyway, the sooner done the better IMO - even if you end up planting in a pot whilst you decide what it is and where you want it.
               
            • simone_in_wiltshire

              simone_in_wiltshire Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Mar 16, 2024
              Messages:
              1,611
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              NE Wiltshire, UK
              Ratings:
              +7,317
              I was typing what he said to me, and clicked the “Post” button. Eucomis need it very warm to flower, he said.
              Maybe you can ask your local GC expert the next time.
               
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              56,454
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +110,188
              @NigelJ , the first picture, when was that taken?
              I find it strange that you are getting Eucomis starting to leaf up now, all the Eucomis I have are mostly summer growing so are still green but getting to the end of the growing season.
               
            • NigelJ

              NigelJ Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 31, 2012
              Messages:
              9,072
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Mad Scientist
              Location:
              Paignton Devon
              Ratings:
              +29,004
              @pete the first picture was taken last Thursday and it's looked like that since spring, the other one Eucomis zambesiaca that has just leafed up has done this before in dry summers. It leafs up once there is sufficient moisture, which is why I ought to move it to a different part of the garden.
               
              • Informative Informative x 1
              Loading...

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Dismiss Notice