Identification Required.

[Herbie]

Can anyone identify these two plants for me. Unsure whether they were planted or just sprouted in the soil. I haven't got a clue on what they are but would be grateful for some help in finding out.

[MrsC]

Jack by the hedge/garlic mustard for the 1st pic, common centaury for the 2nd (not sure tho)

[Herbie]

Thanks MrsC, they must have been in the soil as I don't remember planting these! At least I know what they are now.

[MrsC]

Thanks MrsC, they must have been in the soil as I don't remember planting these! At least I know what they are now.

Could be wrong Herbie, but that's what they look like to me. Common sort of hedgerow/wasteland plants they call them. Not saying your garden is lol

[Herbie]

These appeared in the raised beds that we put in last year. They were made from recycled railway sleepers and we had some top soil which we improved with manure. I think I prefer the common waste land plants to the nasty bindweed I am still trying to get rid of. I think the Jack hedge one is right but still unsure about the other one.
As long as its not a waste land by July I will be ok

I have just read that the Jack Hedge one is edible, used in salads and can be used to treat sore throats. Just got my first crop!!!

[Sweepster]

Don't think the second one is common centaury. Pretty though...

*trots off to look in book...*

[Sweepster]

Y'know, it looks a lot like sweet rocket/dame's violet (hesperis matronalis). What do you reckon?

[digthatchick]

The First one is Alliaria petiolata or Jack by the Hedge - the second is Lunaria rediviva or Common Honesty, oddly enough both mustard plants and both Brassicas. Look for the tell tale seed pods on the Honesty, silvery discs with the seeds visible inside, a real favorite with flower arrangers.

[Snadger]

Yep deffo Honesty the second plant. Didn't realise it was a brassica though!

[Two_Sheds]

Honesty, the 2nd one.

[Herbie]

Thanks very much for all your help it was much appreciated. May have to have a go at flower arranging now I may keep the honesty as it is quite pretty but the jack by the hedge has seeded and now have six plants so some must go. Hopefully we won't all come down with sore throats

[kentvegplot]

I believe that Jack by the hedge is also a food plant for the orange tip butterfly...

[Herbie]

The First one is Alliaria petiolata or Jack by the Hedge - the second is Lunaria rediviva or Common Honesty, oddly enough both mustard plants and both Brassicas. Look for the tell tale seed pods on the Honesty, silvery discs with the seeds visible inside, a real favorite with flower arrangers.

Pulled up alot of the Jack by the hedge today, very garlicy. Left the honesty, the disc's have started to form and I want to see how these grow out. If any flower arrangers want some saved seed let me know