Winter Valerianella?

[KeenTeen17]

I found this today. It looks similar to when red valerian has its flowers closed although this plants leaves were very shiny.

any ideas?

sorry about the bad photos - phone again

[nakedgardener]

It's a garden plant... Skimmia japonica... looks like it's been pulled up too!

[Ruth Daniel]

Yes it looks very like Red Valerian doesn't it?
How odd?? Mine flowers in June'ish.
Can't help anymore tho sorry.....maybe there is a winter variety??

[KeenTeen17]

yeah the council just redone all the old playground area near my house and they have put flowerbeds in next to the benches. I past this once wondering what it was but when I went back with a camera it was gone. I thought someone might have pulled it up because it is showing flower features in winter, which gardeners like to do because everything is dead

then I found it today.

[aeshna5]

It is as Nakedgardener says a Skimmia- there are separate male + female plants; the females bear berry like fruits.

Ps Valerianellas are cornsalads; Red Valerian is Centranthus ruber!

[KeenTeen17]

Thanks guys.

Its silly these common names. Who knew you could get Valerian from Centranthus?

[leifus]

i like using both the common and latin names but i can never remember the latin so pahhh :L

[KeenTeen17]

I prefer common for flowers and latin for fungi

using latin makes me feel a bit clever

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I prefer common for flowers and latin for fungi

using latin makes me feel a bit clever

haha same really