Gardening Magazine

FOLIAGE MYSTERIES - Plant Identification

By Dyarnell @dyarnell
With so many plants in the world it is not surprising that we cannot recognize them all by their foliage. Even when we narrow it down to plants in our local area there is just too much variety, at least for me there is.
This is where the internet comes in because it allows me to connect with more knowledgeable
and experienced gardeners.
I rely most often on the following Facebook groups:Plant identification
What plant is this?!
What is this plant?

FOLIAGE MYSTERIES - plant identification

Friendly Facebook folks help me to identify this a Heliopsis.


If you are going to join these groups it is a good idea to follow this advice posted by Drew Monthie a Garden Consultant, advocate of "plant-driven design" and one of Plant Identification's frequent and helpful users:
Use a camera that can capture detail
Take a side shot of the entire plant
Take an overhead shot of the leaves
Take a closeup of a leaf
Note what other plants are growing nearby
This morning I downloaded two different free apps on my iPhone. Leafsnap is an app that requires you to place a leaf on a white background for best visibility and then upload it to their database for recognition. I look forward to trying it.
Plantifier is a crowdsourced app where you upload a photo for others to comment on and you can comment and help identify plants that others have uploaded. I quite enjoyed browsing other photos and commenting.
I have also had luck e-mailing questions to my local Master Gardeners' Association - in Winnipeg to the Manitoba chapter and at the Ontario cottage to the Halliburton chapter.
And now let us discuss my most important online community - you, my readers. For example, you  helped me to identify the extensive and nasty Creeping Bellflower throughout my property.
Maybe you can do it again?
FOLIAGE MYSTERIES - plant identification

The plant in the center is about 2 feet tall, in full sun in a perennial bed and does not show any signs of blooming quite yet. It is crammed between a black currant bush on the right and the darker green Heliopsis on the left.
Any and all thoughts are welcomed.
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Sharing with Blooming Tuesday, Garden Tuesday, Nature Notes and Foliage Follow Up

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