YOUR GUIDE TO THE TWIN CITIES
Identify this mystery plant and win a mystery prize!
Posted on May 17th, 2007 – 10:42 AMBy Jaime Chismar
When the boyfriend first bought his house, he dabbled a bit in the yard, but most of his home improvement mojo was focused on more urgent matters indoors. (Oh, curse you HGTV and the plague of sponge painting you unleased on the American home!) Though not much to look at, the yard does have a few interesting perennials and, as my attentions shift from gardening to landscaping, I’ve made it a point to learn more about them.
Barely a foot tall with little yellow flowers, this plant is a serious head-scratcher. Try as I might, I cannot idenify it. As I walk out to the compost bin, it often catches my eye.
“What are you?”
It smiles, smug and silent in the shade of the garage.
“Do you know what this is? Does it look like anything you’ve ever seen before?” Everyone who comes to the house is subjected to this plant pop quiz. I’ve gotten no answers, only puzzled looks.
So, what’s your best guess? The first reader with the correct answer (and valid email address) will get a mystery Greengirls surprise… No, it’s not a free subscription to the Star Tribune.
17 Responses to "Identify this mystery plant and win a mystery prize!"
Jamie, this is a type of lamium. It’s Lamium galeobdolon, ‘Hermann’s Pride.” Here it is for sale at White Flower Farm: http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/32675-product.html
I grow it my garden and like it because it’s not invasive as many others are!
It is a form of Lamium/deadnettle. Cutleaf variety.
Wow, that was fast! Thank you! I’ll send you an email with details about your myserty surprise.
BTW: White Flower Farm has some great plants. I’ve never heard of a toad lily (generally I’m not a big fan of lilies at all), but I wonder if I could cheat a little and get it to grow in Zone 4.
Gee, mom gave this plant to me last summer, and I forgot to mark what it was! Thanks for the reminder!
Toad lilies aren’t lilies at all, and as you can see, look totally different! And there are varieties that grow in Zone 4. Also, we are creeping ever closer to Zone 5, so I would give them a shot.
Jaime, I ordered Toad Lilies from Blooming Bulb, which had them listed as a zone 4. I put mine in the ground a month ago, and they’re coming up and looking healthy. My mom spoke with a master gardener who has had them for several years in a protected site. They’re so unusual, it’s worth a shot!
Jaime, I love toad lily. The one I bought in 2005 died over the 05-06 winter. The one I bought last year survived. I think the key is adequate drainage, but I also planted the second one close to the foundation of the house for some extra protection.
Lamium - most varieties spread and grow more like a groundcover. I have one of these that is a more upright clump. Might be time to divide mine this fall.
Heather and Peter — I should be thinking about transplantng my peppers into bigger pots. Instead, all I can think about is where to plant some toad lily! Funny, how impulsive the garden-minded can be!
The correct name for this shady groundcover is Lamiastrum galeobdolon, or common name of Yellow Archangel.
Jaime: I have successfully wintered my toad lily for two years in a row, and it continues to bloom beautifully. The blooms are much more like an orchid, and mine, right by my front door, never fails to evoke comments from visitors. You should definitely give one a try!
I have three different toad lilies that have been hiding out surprising the sidewalkers for over five years now. I had one that I planted the same: “Giltedge”, twice, died both times. I would suggest another for your first trial.
I love the idea of a toad surprise, Deb. Thanks again for another helpful tip!
Yep, lamiustrum or Dead Nettle. Likes shade and woodland areas. Nice groundcover.
It is a Herman’s pride. I have it in my garden and it looks beautiful already. It is in a shady location and does great. This is the third year for this perennial that I planted.
yellow archangel aka dead nettle. great for dry shade; love it under hostas and things in the shade border.
I noticed a little green thing coming up next to my toad lily. A tadpole lily, perhaps?
I notice this plant also growing outside the Seward Cafe in their little community garden!
Greengirls Connie Nelson, Robyn Dochterman and Jaime Chismar are dishin' the dirt from the backyard garden and beyond. Whether you're a greenthumb or greenhorn, they're eager to learn from your misshaps, mistakes -- and most importantly, your sweet successes -- all growing season long.
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