My husband and I were driving on a hilly river road in our small town in late August when I spied a beautiful flower garden in a sunny backyard and exclaimed quite eloquently, "Holy crap! What's that?!" There, in a long bed lined neatly with field stone, grew a beautiful plant with long pink blooms that towered over the rest of the garden at roughly 10 ft tall! I'd never seen it before and I just had to know what it was.
We drove home and I began my GPS'ing (Google plant sleuthing). I've become quite a whiz at this, feverishly typing descriptive phrases to identify my latest mystery plant.
Finally, after searching in spurts for several days, I found what I was looking for. Polygonum orientale, or it's much more romantic common name, 'Kiss-me-over-the-garden-gate'.
I went back to the garden on another occasion to take this photo.This link provides some good info on this charming annual. I wonder if the owners would notice me creeping up into their yard to gather some seeds...
Love it! What a fun adventure you had with Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate. I smiled then giggled when I thought of you creeping along the ground in search of seeds. I want to come with you.
ReplyDeleteIt would be much more fun if you were there! :)
DeleteI bought seeds once for this very plant at the Morton Arboretum! I am not sure I ever planted them... maybe still in my drawer?
ReplyDeleteOoh. Let me know if you find them!
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