Telford woman's mystery plant blooms after 15 years
When Margaret Marshall discovered a bag of earth 18 months after moving from France she was surprised to find it contained signs of life in the form of green shoots.
But eight years later she was even more shocked when a two-feet high flower blossomed from the spot she planted it – and today she is calling for Shropshire Star readers to help her identify it.
Mrs Marshall, 75, of Portway, Madeley said: "It all started when I was living in South West France.
"We bought a house and in the garden there was a big pond with 15 koi carp which the previous owners left behind.
"There were these big plants all around it under these cone trees so they were quite used to living in the dark.
"They were shooting out little babies and I used to dig them up and put them in bags to give them to people."
Mrs Marshall moved from France in 2006 and the black polythene bag containing the soil came as part of the move.
She said: "About 18 months later I came across the bag and opened it up and saw this plant.
"I rushed for a bucket of water and dug a big hole and planted it in the garden.
"It must have been about three weeks ago I was putting the washing on my line and I happened to look at the plant and saw the start of a white flower with a red tinge. I got so excited.
"It must be around 15 years old that plant, and I've watched it grow.
"Now it's propped up, the actual flower must be two-and-a-half feet tall. It's absolutely beautiful and I've got so many people coming around to see it.
"I don't know what it is but it obviously takes any sort of weather but why it's decided to flower after 15 years I don't know."
Any idea what the plant is? Email newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk
