Can anyone identify this plant/weed

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Stingo, Apr 8, 2006.

  1. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    [​IMG]

    I know it has a large tap root which is very difficult to dig out and it spreads very freely.
    It grows to about 12" with little blue flowers much loved by bees!!
     
  2. Waco

    Waco Gardener

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    Comfrey?

    Not sure its name but great for quickly rotting your compost. I grew a varigated on as a plant once, but it took over and turned back plain green so I dug it out.
     
  3. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    That seems feasable, I do have a white flowered comfrey and now youv'e said that I can see the resemblance.
     
  4. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Native wild version of borage. I can never remember its proper name though. Thug of the first water though.
     
  5. pete

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

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    Yeah I reckon its borage aswell. It grows as a weed around here.
     
  6. Waco

    Waco Gardener

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    Yes you got me thinking now - it does look a bit sagey???
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Waco

    Waco Gardener

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    The latter does seem to match the rounded leaf form
     
  8. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    So, if it's borage how do I get rid of it??

    Thinking about it it does have a different growth pattern to Comfry.
     
  9. Fran

    Fran Gardener

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    I had this appear in my rose bed - it grows wild in the hedge rows up the road from here, so prolly brought a seed back from walking.

    I dug it up - but didn't get the lot as it roots quite deep. Roundup applied three times at two weekly intervals finished it off. Shame really cos its quite pretty - but difficult stems to handle with their pricking hairs.
     
  10. wildflower

    wildflower Gardener

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    borage is usefull you can make a syrup from the flowers..and the plant itself attracts bees and it is a good companion plant to deter japanese beetles and tomatoe hornworms.......some people even chop the new leaf growth and add it to salads...it is invasive but it looks really nice in the summer when its all in flower...
     
  11. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    I do agree wildflower that it is lovely and the bees love it.

    I'm happy to keep some of in the garden if I can keep it in check which can be done.

    It's good to know what it it so thanks everyone, I was thinking it was a Brunnera!!
     
  12. wildflower

    wildflower Gardener

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    [​IMG] here is borage mingling in with other plants
     
  13. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    Lovely wildflower
    What are those plants?
     
  14. Stingo

    Stingo Gardener

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    Silly me!!
    Are the blue ones the same as mine?
     
  15. wildflower

    wildflower Gardener

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    The blue ones are borage the lilac ones clary sage...i am quite fond of both of them...
     
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