small shrub/tree

[ethandron]

out walking this week, i passed a garden with a really lovely little tree/shrub and would love to know what it is.
it was about 3-4ft high, dark black shiney branches, bright blue flowers which hung down and became like small lanterns as they dried. any ideas?? thanks.

[ethandron]

oy, don't go upsetting my big sis!!!
you'll just have to hold your breath till tuesday when i go walking again, patience is a virtue you know...

[Prudie]

Gosh I've been looking too and last time I looked there weren't any answers. I thought it might be Hibiscus Syriacus 'Oiseau Blue'. My neighbour has one out at the moment and it's lovely.

[LoftyLottie]

That's beautiful prudie!

[slinky.kate]

did it have a star and xmas baubles on it??????

[Prudie]

It is LL, I've been meaning to get one myself. I always find blue flowered shrubs really exotic.
When I win the lottery and move to Spain I'm going to have plumbago and morning glory everywhere!!

[webbo3]

Hi ethandron, I spoke to the people in work and they suggested this.

http://apps.rhs.org.u.../Profile.aspx?pid=538

http://www.google.co....b=wi&biw=1280&bih=905


Hope this is it.


Dave.

[rowanwitch]

That's not fair we were looking for SHRUBS not pig*ing annuals

[tamborine]

my hibiscus shrub has just finished flowering and is purple/blue tho' the branches are green

http://uk.shop.com/Hibiscus+Plants?g=1&k=24

[Robinia]

lol Rowan, very true. I've had shoo-fly plants in the past too but they didn't reach 3 - 4 ft.

[LoftyLottie]

And it says they flower in the Spring. Mind you it is quite spring like today!!!

[ethandron]

well, webbo/dave, i have to say your colleagues are 100% CORRECT!!! :o)
thank you so much for putting me out of my misery, there's no doubt at all that's what it is. i would never have guessed it was an annual, i checked all the perennials to no avail but really couldn't imagine that something so big and robus, and in flower in october, would be an annual. we drove past it again yesterday and could clearly see all the little black seed pod things hanging down from the black branches, bright green leaves and vibrant blue flowers, it really is a spectacular plant and i'm defo going to try and grow one next year.
many thanks again dave, i could kiss you :) :) :) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[webbo3]

No probs, glad to help.



Dave.

[webbo3]

tnx for a nice reply to my answer as well.



Dave.

[rowanwitch]

I want one too..will order some seed if I have a place with a garden next year

[LoftyLottie]

Oh thank goodness. Sorry for doubting your colleagues Dave xxxxxx

On my list for seeds now, although from reading about it the wild bird seed in my garden might produce me some nice plants.