Solved What's this ??

I stopped to take a cutting of a lovely shrub growing wild, thinking it was a lavender. Obviously, when I got up close, I saw that it wasn't Lavender. It had no fragrance at all and stood about 1.5 metres high. So, what is it?? (ignore the bottom bigger leaves in photo - that's something else that was in the glass....)

 

That's quite hard to make out from the photo because of the distance for me, but perhaps Purple Loosestrife? Height certainly makes sense.

purple loosestrife plant - Google Search

Nick

 

Thanks Nick. I've looked up the link you sent, plus others, and I think you've ID'd it correctly. As it seems that it is mostly described as "invasive weed" I think illI not even try to propoganda it! Shame, as from a distance, it looked quite attractive.

Thanks again.

 

I don't know if she's around (hope she's OK actually, haven't noticed her here for a while), but I'm going to be a bit cheeky and tag our friend @Silver surfer, she's a well-honed identification machine and could definitely confirm, I think!

Nick

 

Did some one call?
Eeek!
Goodness me. That is a big ask from that pic.
Really sharp close up pics to show the flowers would be such a help.
Without those I am going to suggest a woody shrub.
Maybe Lonicera syringantha...or Lonicera albertii.
But new clear, close up pics may prove me miles out.

 

Haha, well it's good to know you're fine, anyway! And you're right, close-up image required!

Nick

 

Any better pic ???

 

Oh Yes...heaps better. Many thanks barryman.
Ignore above suggestion.

Lythrum salicaria, or purple loosestrife is a perfect fit.

 

Thanks again. I'll bin the cuttings - don't want to plant invasive weeds!

 

Having said all that @barryman ..I really like it and grow it.Just have to keep it in check.

 

I to like it and bought it to put in the garden.
Very well behaved.
I also bought Lythrum salicaria Blush..a very pretty pale pink

 

I had it in Bucks, loved it.

 

What a pretty plant. I have a corner filled wih the yellow loose strife. Really brightens the corner up. Please don't misunderstand me but. Sometimes I wonder just what some gardeners really expect, want from their plants. So various plants tend to become invasive. So now's the time to, 'pit your wits against the plant'. So you like that plant, but it spreads like wildfire. Grow it in a container of sorts.

Some years past. A very close friend, who was the curator of a local council, nature study centre, said to me. Mike. You really have a great mixed assortment of plants here. You have come a long way, and now you are a recognised scientist in horticulture, but why on earth are you growing some weeds in pots?. Sadly my friend Brian was suddenly diagnosed with a cancer, within a few weeks his life came to an end.

My answer to his question. Brian. I'm not just a gardener, you can go through the many gardening qualifications and each has it's own respective assets.

To me as an individual. All plants have something to offer. So for example. Chickweed. I used to breed canaries and british finches, muling and hybridizing etc. The plant is considered a weed. To me it presented itself as a serious study item so I would allow a potfull to live in the GH.

 

Very true Mike, a weed is anything growing that you don't want, nothing more.
I live in a village and have some horsey friends(they like eventing etc.), not for me. This summer a lone ragwort appeared and as my garden is enclosed no risk to equines. I decide to let it grow and noticed bees, butterflies and hoverflies were all over it and it also has a nice smell. I've decided to save seed and grow it next year as despite the reputation I like it.