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did you ever figure out what it was...thought that since denise was around tonight she might know...she has some mean gardening skills.
judi
Yeah Denise, answer the question.
Aleida My Blog:scrappingrican
what was the Q-LISA
Did I miss a gardening question? Off to find it.-
DeniseCreative Mayhem (Layout Blog)Life and Times (365 Days of Photos Blog)
I am not for certain, but I am leaning toward what one of the posters on your blog said - that it is Chinese Tallow. I know a lot on your blog said it could be a lilac, but lilac leaves are usually smoother. Maybe there is a variety that isn't, but I did a little bit of searching on the web and it seems to fit the description and photos of Tallow I saw. To be certain I would take a photo or a leaf to a local nursery. If they confirm it is Tallow, you will probably want to get rid of it as it is a non-native invasive and contains toxious properties. Interestingly, it was introduced into the US by Benjamin Franklin. Ummm...TMI...i am such a garden geek. Here's a photo...Chinese Tallow. -
from what i know, the Chinese Tallow is a pain in the *** and the picture guy has a nice....
oh never mind...knew Denise would come to the rescue
denise- you are awesome!
i have a hard time believing that's what it is though...
i mean, a little old lady lived here before me and she took tender care of these gardens for years...the plant has been carefully planted and why would she plant that? I'm so confused!!
Steph,
from what i understand the tallow just "takes over" she may not have planted it...
No, It's definitely planted.
It has a perfect circle of soil around it. And It has no other plants around it...
Hmmm...I was wondering if it was planted "with care". Well, that definitely contradicts the invasive plant theory unless she didn't know. Hmmm... I would water it and see what happens. It seems pretty small at the moment, so you have time to figure it out. Maybe let it go for a year and see if blooms. It's easier to figure out what it is by blooms...at least for me. :o) Otherwise, is there someone in your neighborhood that has a garden? That person may be able to identify it, since they live in the area. Otherwise...do the nursery route. Sorry...I couldn't give you a definitive answer. -
I think Denise is right. I think it is a Chinese Tallow.
When we moved into our house, the previous owner was a single lady, who planted everything... even if they were toxic because she was alone and didn't have to worry about anyone but her getting into them. I had to pull out all of the fox gloves because we had dogs and then our little Matteo. They were beautiful... lilac and white, but toxic... so they had to go.
Mandee
www.mandeemattioli.blogspot.com
I know Massachusetts has Ag (agricultural) stations thru out the state. Does Texas? If so they would be able to tell you too and check your soil to boot :-)
Anne
Stephanie, for real, it's Tallow. Some people plant them because they have red/orange fall foliage and are followed by white seed heads, and will come up anywhere! My mom tied them on Christmas presents with burgandy organza ribbon one year, looked pretty but my Dad was just shaking his head.-Alisa
