Tall perennial shrub like red flowering plant in Scotland

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by dropjohn, Aug 21, 2012.

  1. dropjohn

    dropjohn Member

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    Hoping to identify this plant for a friend in Scotland - Diervilla has been suggested, but it doesn't seem quite right from what I can tell. It's a fairly tall perennial, about 5 feet or so, with arching branches, flowering in late summer early fall.

    I've attached two photos, and I'm hoping they're good enough for someone to identify it. The branches shown are coming off of upright jointed taller stems (barely visible in the first photo). I'm utterly ignorant, so all apologies if I've missed crucial details.

    thanks muchly!
     

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  2. pierrot

    pierrot Active Member 10 Years

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  3. dropjohn

    dropjohn Member

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    Spot on! I love knowledgeable folks, you make my life much easier.

    cheers!

    meg
     
  4. NL66

    NL66 Member

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    I found this in a wilder part of my garden recently, the seed I suspect was brought in by a bird from a neighbour's garden 100 yards away. In its third year of growth it has already reached 12ft. Another common name for it is Pheasantberry, as it has been used for game cover.
     
  5. woodschmoe

    woodschmoe Active Member 10 Years

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    Edible, and quite good, with a taste of burnt sugar (perhaps 'good' is subjective in this case). Dried berries taste like/have the texture of raisins.
     
  6. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Taste like carob to me.
     
  7. NL66

    NL66 Member

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    I did taste a berry fresh off the bush and it was reasonably pleasant, which is why I decided not to uproot the plant. Would the flavour be improved by drying the berries?
     
  8. woodschmoe

    woodschmoe Active Member 10 Years

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    I've found that they become sweeter, with less of the slight bitterness, when dried.
     

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