Sara KathleenOct 5, 2023

Garden ID help: These are the seed pods, they rattle like dried poppy. Came from what looked like a solo, out of place, ornamental flower/grass (broad and flat like iris). At least 7 feet tall! No photo of plant though sorry. Located in a place with lots of weird specimens so it could be anything! In shade. Not a shrub/tree. UK/Cotswolds.

Thoughts?

#gardening #plantidentification #plantid #ukgardening #gardenhelp #planthelp

Show threadSue Hewitt
@sarakathleenuk New Zealand flax / Phormium maybe
Oct 5, 2023 at 7:26pmWeb
Show threadJay (they/them)Oct 5, 2023
@suehewit @sarakathleenuk I was going to suggest this, too.
I live in New Zealand and can confirm that some phormiums can easily get that tall! (One reason why dwarf varieties are popular with gardeners!)
Show threadThomasOct 5, 2023

@curiousjay @suehewit @sarakathleenuk

That's what I find in the net when I search for "phormium tenax pods.

I'd love to have some seeds 🙂

Show threadSue HewittOct 5, 2023
@curiousjay @sarakathleenuk they get that tall here in the Scottish Borders too! The garden where I work has 2 large clumps by a large pond. The flowers are striking and colourful.
Show threadSara KathleenOct 5, 2023
@curiousjay @suehewit this looks like a good possibility! I’ll be returning to the spot Monday and will take a closer look!
Show threadSue HewittOct 5, 2023
@sarakathleenuk @curiousjay easy to grow from collected seeds (from fresh, in a free draining compost) if you want plants for yourself. Mind you, once you’ve got a clump you’ve got it for ever, it’s indestructible.
Show threadSara KathleenOct 5, 2023
@suehewit @curiousjay I hope that’s what I’ve got. I collected the seeds as they were talking about removing the plant, but I’d never seen anything quite like it so I wanted to plant something if possible! Will give it a go anyway, regardless of what it is. I’ll find out next week though 🙃
Show threadJay (they/them)Oct 6, 2023

@sarakathleenuk @suehewit If they're removing the plant and are willing to give you some bits with roots, that works really well (It's how I've acquired most of mine!) Just stick the bits in a bucket of water until you have time to plant. They're very hardy.

It's not the tidiest plant, but it is quite striking - especially when the flower spikes tower over it all. And I'm pretty sure this large variety can be used for weaving Maori-style, if that appeals.

Show threadJay (they/them)Oct 6, 2023
@sarakathleenuk @suehewit This is what the big phormium in my garden looks like.
The leaves of this are about 2 metres tall, so the old flowerstalks are at least 3 to 3.5 metres!
By the way, don't plant this too close to anywhere you need to mow. The fibres in the leaves love to wrap around and tie up lawnmowers...
Show threadSara KathleenOct 6, 2023
@curiousjay @suehewit it looks very similar, I’m really hoping this is what it is. I’ll only be planting it in a pot to start so I don’t have to worry about too much spread!
Show threadJay (they/them)Oct 6, 2023
@sarakathleenuk @suehewit Fingers crossed for you.
I'll be curious to see how you go/grow!!