unidentifiable flower

[Newt]

Maggie, that's great I was able to id the last 2 you posted.* With this last pic I'm not sure as there are no flowers and the pic is a bit small.* Considering the size (I can't tell just how tall, but they appear to be at least 3' tall), the time of year and the fact that it appears about to form flowers, I do have a couple of guesses.

Aster - there are some named cultivars of these natives as well as the wild species:

New York aster aka Aster novi-belgii aka Symphyotrichum novi-belgii grows 3' to 4' tall in a purple/lavender color.* It is sometimes called michaelmas daisy.
http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/i.../145/index.htm
http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=13
http://ct-botanical-society.org/gall...ichumnovi.html

or

New England aster aka Aster novae-angliae aka Symphyotrichum novae-angliae grows 3' to 7' tall and has more flower petals then the New York aster.* Flowers can be rosy pink to lavender/purple.
http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=25
http://ct-botanical-society.org/gall...ichumnova.html
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/p....asp?code=B540

One of the asters I have in my garden is Aster novae-angliae 'Andenken an Alma Pötschke' aka Alma Potschke aster with it's bright rosy flowres.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/p....asp?code=B530


If you scroll down here you can see some of the named varieties of aster.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/p...nder/alpha.asp

Joe Pye weed aka Eupatorium purpureum is another native that gets quite tall in my garden and grows to 6' or 7' tall.* A real butterfly magnet.* There are several different species of this native.* The cultivated ones tend to stay in a tighter clump then what I'm seeing in your picture, so this may not be it.
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/P....asp?Code=C740
http://www.grownative.org/index.cfm?...il&plant_id=14
http://www.gardenclub.net/Images/LittleJoe.jpg

I'd love to see a picture of the flowers.
Newt

[mandp523]

Hi,
Thank you so much for trying to identify the plant.* So far, there have not been any flowers on the plants, just greenery.* However, the very tops of the "spikes" are now a lighter green, and almost feathery.* Each "spike" is 5-6 ft tall (I am 5ft 2in, and they are taller than me.)* Each "spike" is separate from the rest, and there are 40-50 in each group.* There are 3 40-50 "spike" groups, and one 20 "spike" group in the yard.* One is by the pond, and the others are just by other plants.* If you look at the picture I sent of the pond, the spikes are shown on the right side of the picture.
Maybe it is a weed, and we should be pulling it up!* It is so hard to tell what plants are when it is the first time they have come up since we moved in!
If any flowers appear, I will be sure and send you a picture!*
I guess for now, we will just wait and see if flowers come out too!
Thank you for your help!* Maggie

[Newt]

Maggie, with your additional description of them, I'm more certain then ever they are either some type of aste (2 different ones) or maybe even some relative of a native sunflower.* I can't wait to see the flowers.* I'm guessing you'll see flowers in another week or two.

Newt

[mandp523]

Hi Newt,
If you look at this web site that you sent me, http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=25* (the first one in the second set of aster sites)
and scroll down to the 8th picture, the spikes look just like mine!* So, I bet they are asters!* Since they are getting more feathery on top, I bet they will be blooming soon.* I will be sure and tell you what they look like!
Maggie

[Newt]

Maggie, it could be the New England aster, but you'll have to wait until it blooms.* I can't wait to see the pictures of your flowers.

Newt

[mandp523]

Hello,
I have another new flower!* This one I just happened to see today, and it is blocked by another big plant.* The "flower" is really a bunch of individual flowers.* I am attaching a picture of it.* I hope it works out right this time!
Also, I am wondering how you know so much about flowers!* Do you work in a nursery, or is this a hobby of yours?
And, the "possible aster" now seems to be setting for blooms - there are about 5 little buds on the top of each stem.* Maybe flowers soon?
Thank you, Maggie

[Newt]

Maggie, quick, run outside and smell those lovely Phlox paniculata aka garden phlox!* :dude:* They are native to the US and there are many different named varieties.* They come in shades of pink, lavender, white and purple.* They tend to get powdery mildew, but their fragrance is so wonderful they're worth the bit if unsightly leaves.* Of course you can use milk spray for the powerdery mildew.
http://www.missouriplants.com/Pinkop...lata_page.html
http://www.backyardgardener.com/tv/mildew.html

Also, I am wondering how you know so much about flowers! Do you work in a nursery, or is this a hobby of yours?

Gardening is a hobby for me.* When I first started a garden I felt I had to have every plant I could find, especially native ones, so I planted and planted.* I've 'matured' a bit and don't grow as many as I used to, but I now cultivate a garden on the internet by answering questions on gardening.* Some plants that I answer questions about I have never grown, but I've learned about them from others or from reading on the internet.* Thank you so much for the compliment.* :)

I can't wait to see the pictures of your 'possible asters'.* Hopefully it won't be more then another week.

Newt

[mandp523]

Hello,
I am sending a picture of another flowering bush.* I thought it was a Butterfly Bush, but am thinking more now it is a Butterfly Weed.* Is there really a difference?* I is now getting what look like seed pods.
Thank you for your help!* Maggie

[Newt]

It certainly does look like one of the butterfly weeds which are Asclepias aka milkweed.* Most folks think of the orange ones when they think of the common name.* You can see some of the different ones when I searched google images with the botanical name.
http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Your picture is a bit small for a positive id for me.* Since this is the water gardens forum I'm thinking that it's growing in bog-like conditions.* I can't see clearly, so it might be Asclepias incarnata aka swamp milkweed.* I find that mine is an aphid magnet, but the praying mantids and lady beetles in my garden tend to take care of that so I never spray.
http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek010715.html

Newt

[mandp523]

Hello,
Yes, I think you are right.* I looked at the links you sent, and you identified the exact one we have.* There are seed pods all over it.* I broke one open, and inside are these white fuzzy seeds.* Should I sow them where I want the plant to grow?* We really need to move the current plant because it is too big for it's space.* There is an azalea right next to it, and that plant didn't have a chance to grow much because the milkweed took over.
Thank you, Maggie
PS* I posted the tall "unknown" on the perennial part of the forum.* I think you replied to that one too!* I will send a picture of any flowers that we get!