Off-yopic longshot: who knows gardening/ plants?

[1disneydood]

Hopefully somebody here can help.

My neighbor has these flowering plants growing like wild in his yard, right over my fence but he has no idea about them.
http://members..net/reefdood/plant.jpg

Anybody know what they are? And are the pollenated flowers that close and fall off the seeds? (see small pic)

I want to get some growing in large planters. Don't worry, I'll keep them better manicured.

 

[tigsmom]

Those look very interesting. My suggestion would be to call your local cooperative extension and describe the flower and possible send them the picture. Also, if there are any Master Gardeners Club locally you could ask them. Is that a wildflower or a cultivated one?

Please post and let us know when you do find an answer.

 

[1disneydood]

They used to be breathtaking when flowering but they are located in a yard that hasn't had much love, waiting on Katrina repairs like most of the city. Now they are all torn and overgwown. Enough to make my fence lean so I have been hacking that away but they are so dense I can't get much done from my side and the other side is a jungle. I'll post more pics in a few min.

Yes, I can keep you updated on anything I find out. Also, if these "pods" are in fact seeds, I have quite a few now.

 

[1disneydood]

The view from my yard. Sux that they block most of the wind from hitting my AK bamboo windchimes. :lol:
http://members..net/sheilapicone1/plant2.jpg


The plant right before flowering. Exotic looking, huh?
http://members..net/sheilapicone1/plant4.jpg


Another flower shot.
http://members..net/sheilapicone1/plant3.jpg

I think the overcrowding and lack of maintanence has them blooming not as pretty as previous years. I want to relocate a few in planters and see if I can pretty them up. Hopefully grow them from seeds or cuttings maybe.

 

[tigsmom]

Are they rhizomes like Iris? If so maybe you can get a clump, slpit it and have a few for your yard. The picture of the blooms unopened looks familiar to me.

 

[Cliffordsmon]

The plant is shell ginger or shell flower. They love your heat and humidity however, they can be difficult to grow in containers. I have tried to grow gingers up here in containers because I love tropical flowers but I haven't had any luck. Hope this helps!

 

[tigsmom]

The plant is shell ginger or shell flower. They love your heat and humidity however, they can be difficult to grow in containers. I have tried to grow gingers up here in containers because I love tropical flowers but I haven't had any luck. Hope this helps!

:sohappy:

The OP's pictures looked just like the ones I found on the web. Here is a link...

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55244/

 

[K-dub]

The folx here have already helped you ID the plant.

Here's a nice site with lots of friendly folk for similar questions and all types of gardening/flower care topics.

http://www.gardenguides.com/forum/

 

[1disneydood]

Thanks for the help everyone. Great links. Now to get to work on this ginger.

 

[Debbie]

Thanks for the help everyone. Great links. Now to get to work on this ginger.

Bantings nursery would know or you can try one of Dan Gill's books. It has to be in the Ginger family :lookaroun