Hi,

I have a couple of clumps of an unknown plant in my garden.  I have asked around and the most popular answers are Delphinium, larkspur or Sidalcea.  I have looked at pictures and information on the internet, and although they look quite similar to a delphinium, I am sure they are not.  The plants are grown in the Midlands in a sunny/partial shade position.  Unlike delphiniums, they come into flower during May and June.  They come back every year, and can be split. 

http://www.howtogrow.co.uk/how-to-grow-unknown-plant.html

Please help, as this is driving me crazy!!!

Hi Stella J,

 Have searched all kinds of websites trying to solve your problem- the closest can find is the Verbascum. It is a real mystery this one. Truly hope you can find the answer to this? To  my mind it looks like a wild flower. Searched lots of wildflower sites- closest resembling to this picture of yours was a Loosestrife. Yet, to be honest, completely baffled!!

Good luck! Please let me know what the species of flower is when you find out as curious!

Bazza or Pamela may be able to answer this question as unlike this novice, they have a huge plant base knowledge/experienced gardeners!

Now have to try to solve a cryptic crossword.

Ciao for now, a delicate flower, Clarita

Stella J

Hi

Looking at the flowers in the pics they look like Sidalcea. Delphinium and Larkspur are of the same family. If you look at the flowers of them you will see that the centres are flat. Sidalcea have a sort of protrusion from the centre of the plant. Do a search to compare flower heads to see what I mean. I have some Sidalcea plants but they do not look like the ones in the pics flower shape wise. Mine flower all the way along the stem where as the ones in the pics seem to flower towards the top with the tips bare. To be honest I have never seen this one. You could try an e mail the pics to somewhere like the RHS perhaps they could identify it properly.

Bazza

Thanks for all your help guys!

It seems like I have everyone stumped with this one! I think I will try the RHS as you suggested Bazza, and if they don't know the answer, then the mystery will remain.

Thanks again everyone. 

      Hi Stella, I wonder if the bees have cross polinated and made you a completely new flower

   Joyce      ps its a lovely one i love it.

Hi everyone,

been looking and think it could be Sidalcea 'William Smith' but it is very pretty whatever it is, the leaves also look like sidalcea, what does the seed head look like? 

Hi Barbara,

I have just had a quick look through my photographs and can't seem to find any pictures of the seed heads unfortunately.  I cut off the flowering stems after they had died.  I took some new photographs yesterday after I noticed that they had started to flower again (must be due to the late sunshine we are enjoying).

I do agree that it resembles a Sidalcea, but after looking at various pictures, my flowers seem to be more compact and stay close to the stem, whereas a sidalcea flower seems to grow away from the stem (sorry I am not very good at describing this!)

I will try to upload some new photographs to my new garden album

Thanks again, Stella

Hi Stella

Just remembered there is a search engine on google called The Plant Press, have put in and searched for Sidalcea under their alphabetical search and looked up William Smith have a go and see if that comes up with your picture

 It looks quite similar hope you find it soon am longing to know what it is (I would like one too)

Good luck

Thanks Barbara, this looks like it could be it. Thankyou and well done - another mystery solved.

Link to Barbara's answer : http://www.plantpress.com/plant-encyclopedia/plantdb.php?plant=2696&pi=4