It is the 'Virginian Pokeweed' - Phytolacca americana, which appears to be slowly spreading itself about in the UK. It is a hardy, herbaceous perennial, native to the US and provides some useful colour later in the year. The spikes of whitish flowers give way to densely packed, very glossy, purple-black berries in early autumn. At the same time the leaves take on quite pleasing shades of yellow and orange. It often arrives uninvited in gardens, spread by birds. I rather like it, but it is quite poisonous and the berries as tempting as they are, should not be eaten.

Thanks Dave, I will have to evaluate the plant for garden merit in spite of the poisonous properties. I've always liked it but the plants tend to pop up where they are not required.

Moriati

Definately Phytolacca, but not americana. The Virginian Pokeweed has drooping flower spikes and has not be reliably recorded from Britain. It is more likely one of the Asian Pokeweeds such as P. acinosa or P. esculenta.

Given that my flowers are erect and I have never seen one taller than 3Ft. I am ruling out P. americana and leaning towards P. acinosa until I have more time to trawl the net.

They seemed to have disappeared for a few years before re-appearing this spring in several gardens. The plant in the photo kindly planted itself in a half-empty flowerpot so I will keep it growing and post an update later in the year.

Moriati