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&!?# Wrong plant label! What now! Help with name

shadygardenerzone6

18 years ago

Last year I bought from C. Tire 6 Verbascum Chaixii Album on the clearance table $1/1 gallon pot, figured what the heck if it doesn't live I enjoyed it for the season, and will get an extra pot and mix in some other soil in with my sandy soil. 4 out of the 6 came up not bad, can live with that. Made sure they were getting full 100% sun, couldn't figure why it would look so tired, give it a drink and provide some shade and it would perk back up. Well the flower stalk/bloom is just opening up and I don't know what it is! The flowers are too tiny to match the pictures I've seen, even my DH says "that ain't it"

Flowers are really tiny and a light lilac colour with light/med green narrow foliage that goes all the way up and then the tip is the flower (Sure wish I had a digital camera). About 20" high. Really pretty, but not what I was expecting. Can anyone help me with the identity of this plant. I have a feeling that this particular plant doesn't like full sun and that I need to think about moving it ASAP.

I'm think it might be a veronica speedwell, but can't find any in light lilac colour, they all seem to be more blue/purple and a whole lot darker.

I guess this is the reason it's buyer beware when you buy off the clearance table. I'm thinking that my mystery plant went to seed on the verbascum that I bought. Oh well I like the surprise I got and still I got 4 good size plants for $6.

Any help would be appreciated.

Nett

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Comments (4)

chris_ont
18 years ago
I have a pink Speedwell, V. spicata "erika" (rosea).
Very pretty. However, I do have mine in full sun and it seems to love it. Besides a bit of mildew now and again, it's been a super little plant.
This is not a good picture of it, but perhaps it helps
{{gwi:534943}}
shadygardenerzone6
Original Author
18 years ago
The foliage looks right but mine has a very light lilac colour. Guess I'll spend some time looking up types of veronica's to get the right one.

I have to laugh as I am on my second attempt of trying to start these from seed. Maybe I'll end up with 2 different varities! LOL
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shadygardenerzone6
Original Author
18 years ago
Well I've spent 2 hours on the net and as far as I can tell I have some type of variety of a veronicastrum virginicum what variety I do not know! The flowers are delicate and a light lilac in colour, any ideas?

Oh well it is a pretty plant and it blends well in the garden. Have to keep looking for the verbascum. Better luck next time. Don't you just love surprises! LOL
ian_bc_north
18 years ago
Hello Nett,
In my limited experience Verbascum grows quickly from seed. They are biennials so would have to be planted the year before you wish them to flower.

Ian

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