Gardening and Horticulture - Plant name slang!

I think someone should come up with a book on plant names and their "AKA'S". Every time someone tells me the name of a pretty plant that I would mine getting or they give me a piece of for rooting I can't find the proper name for it! LOL

I have heard of back yard mechanics, but back yard gardeners. LOL

If you make this book, let me know, I'll buy it from you!

I mean come on, how many different names can a plant have???

Hello Chad,

Now you know why the botanical name is so important - lol.
I have run across a few sites on the web that have cross references, but none are very complete.
When you find 'chimney sweeps', given to me by dear old Mom, let me know.

fred

Hi Chad

Fred's right about the Latin - there have been a number of discussions on this board and Sierra about this...

Every region has a different name for a number of weeds and folk remedy ingredients ;) My wife's family calls Red Osier Dogwood Swamp Willow - but if you know it 's Latin name (Cornus alba), you will be able to find it in any reference or nursery...

Reader's Digest puts out a number of good books - their "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants" - ISBN0-88850-603-1 has a Contents with Common Names and their equivelents. We bought it in 1998 and it was $60.00 (CDN, so probably a lot more reasonable in US$) and are constantly referring to it :) - well worth the investment for us :cool: ... Sorry Fred, no Chimney Sweeps listed, though... :rolleyes:

A lot of Government Publications (at least here in Ontario) are excellent references which include latin and common names, as well...

Howie

Thanks Howie,

My 'chimney sweeps' just completed blooming. They are a dark blue cluster of flowers on the top, now blooming a bit down the stem. I'm pretty sure they are some species of loosestrife.

I do remember the RD book you also mentioned once before. Just haven't looked for it yet.

fred

Another name for English Plantain is chimney sweeps. I guess the blossoms do remind one of the brushes used by chimney sweeps.

Thanks Patricia,
I checked some pictures, and no go. My 'chimney sweeps' aren't the English plantain.
Mine are a three inch deep blue flower cluster on top.

And so goes the continuing problem of the common plant name!!

fred

Hello! Things and places really do make the difference don't they? Here in the Deep South my friends and neighbors call a swallow bird "Chimney Sweep"! Just thought I would offer that little tidbit of "to die for" info! :-) :-) Norma Dean

I am not high tech enough to know how to post a picture on the forums, but we need a picture of the chimney sweeps flower that is causing us to lose sweep, I mean sleep.

Okay,

Her 'tis -- maybe

http://community.sierra.com/WebX?233@65.ynqPaM8WPoV^871274@.ef7f4dd!enclosure=.ef7f4de

To see the campanula pyramidalis that is referred to as "chimney" click:

http://www.anniesannuals.com/signs/b%20-%20c/Campanula_pyramidalis_blue.htm


Campanula glomerata: http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/seeds/pages/pic6.htm

http://www.joycreek.com/012-052.htm

By Golly Twelvepole, I think you've got it!!!

Campanula glomerata aka Clustered bellflower

There are a handful of variations, one is even white.
Native to Europe
Thank you for your effort.

fred

PS: hey I've got this other unidentfied plant:
http://community.sierra.com/WebX?233@65.Es3qauukPdM^941055@.ef76b14!enclosure=.ef76b15

Hi Fred

Try Eryngium (Sea Holly) in a search engine - sorry - I haven't figured out this posting pictures here thing, yet (no website to post to, either...)

We have one just coming into flower in our back yard - maybe will have to post to Sierra...

Howie

....(a few minutes after my original post)... oops, I see you did post on Sierra - Good ID, Patricia! ....looks like they nailed the Campanula over at Sierra pretty quick, too!

Thanks Howie,

I guess I still need more reference material (like your RD book).
I searched on the net looking under loosestrifes, with not much luck.

But Campanula it is.

And now I see my other link of unknowns isn't working.
Will try to fix it.

Howie, I'm checking thoroughly into the sea holly for the other unknown --very,very possible. Mine hasn't bloomed yet, and doesn't look like it will this year. Please do post a pic of yours, and a leaf close up.

Thanks again guys,

fred

Hi Fred

Pics of Sea Holly posted over at the 'other place', but here's the link...
http://community.sierra.com/WebX?230@161.KFDxa8cxPuE^4@.ef7f758

We planted ours last year and this is the first we've seen of flowers...

Hope the pics help with your ID

Howie

Hi Howie,
Thanks a bunch.. I'm thinking I don't have the Sea Holly, as most I've read say they are a variegated leaf, and very prickly.
Mine is not. And it doesn't look like it will bloom this year. It has remained only about 8 or 10 inches high. I may have to move it.
But next week I'll be up in OH. so I may check out Mom's 'mother plant'. I will let you know.

fred