Plant Identification

Can somebody tell me the name of this plant which turned up unannounced in my garden this year. It's very attractive and I thought it might be a type of campanula. Your help would be much appreciated.

Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Katy Elton

Hi Bill,

What a lovely splash of colour. It’s difficult to determine the height from this photo – could you give us a rough measurement? It looks like it could be a type of Dianthus barbatus (Sweet William). http://www.shootgardening.co.uk/plant/search?offset=0&q=dianthus barbatus. I’m not sure of the variety, I’ll search further and let you know if I find anything!

Regards
Katy

Re: Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Bill Sheppard

Hi Katy and thanks for your thoughts. I can see where you're coming from by suggesting dianthus but the flowers are actually a whole load of little flowers grouping together to form what looks like a single ball shaped flower in the same way an Alium does. Each flower stalk is about 3 feet tall and the flower has no scent to talk about. Also each petal has a slight forked tongue arrangement at its outer edge. I've given up trying to match it using identifiable features in Shoot and the RHS as it produces too many results. I just hope someone i.e. you, may know what it is. Thanks again for your help.

Re: Re: Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Katy Elton

Thanks Bill - any chance of a close up of the flowers so we can see this detailing you mention?
The search continues!

Regards
Katy

Re: Re: Re: Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Bill Sheppard

Hi again Katy. Maybe this photo will help. You'll see clearly what I mean about the forked tongue shape of the petal. Good hunting. Bill

Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Bill,
This is Lychnis chalcedonia also known as Maltese cross. The 'forked' petals are why it was given said common name. Also called Jerusalem cross as well as numerous other names.
Kathy C

Re: Re: Plant Identification

Reply from Bill Sheppard

Thank You Kathy. Now I can get on with my life.....until the next time.
Happy Gardening...Bill