Mystery of giant Telford flower solved as gardeners share their knowledge

Actually, this mystery has a very simple explanation – and garden lovers across the region have been quick to add their advice and explanations.

It all started when a bag of earth transferred from France to Margaret Marshall's Telford garden bloomed into a dramatic plant that produced a beautiful pale yellow flower eight years after it was panted.

It turns out the plant is a humble yucca, and Mrs Marshall's appeal for information on it has brought a big response.

The flower is actually pretty common, but it was also a mystery to reader Stefan Penswick, who said he had a similar one growing in his front garden in Manor Rise, Arleston.

"I have no idea what it is," he said. "It was in the garden when I bought the house back in 1996 but has never flowered until the neighbours chopped down a small tree next to it.

"It would be interesting to know what it is as I have often wondered."

Sue Briscoe emailed in to say she recognised the flower immediately as a yucca.

"It is sometimes referred to as the no water plant as they tolerate drought conditions very well.

"It will grow in most conditions but loves full sun, sandy deep well drained soil and requires minimal care.

"The cluster of flowers are known as inflorescence and can become six feet tall.

"I recognised it immediately as my late father had one in his garden and I remember the magnificent sight when it flowered."

Barry Olliver of Wellington said: "It's a yucca and if she wishes to have more of these all she needs to do his dig down about six inches to one foot as close to the plant as possible and remove some of the tubas and plant them in places that she would like them to grow."

It seems Barry's advice is a tried and tested method according to Michele Smith, who said: "There's a myth that says they only flower every seven years but if you strip the leaves from the base of the plant and give it plenty of water it will flower every year. I started off with one plant then cut away the new shoots and planted them. I ended up with 18 plants that all flowered every year."

Reader Sally Merrington said: "We have one in our garden which flowers every year sometimes having between six and eight blooms, it's quite something to look at."

And Pam Twitchell said: "I am almost certain the plant shown is a yucca, common in Spain and the South of France."

Mrs Marshall thanked everyone for all their help in identifying the plant.

"It's unbelievable how many people got in touch and I've been very happy to hear from them.

"I've been so excited about it and it's really nice that other people have been too."

Mrs Marshall, 75, of Portway, Madeley, discovered the plant in a bag of earth in her barn 18 months after moving from France and planted it.

And eight years later the beautiful pale yellow flower shot from between the leaves.

Factfile:

• The yucca is native to the high deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico

• Its flower is a series of white or purple blossoms on a long stalk

• There are at least 40 species

• Extracts from the plant’s root are used in alternative medicine as a soap and as an herbal dietary supplement

• Yuccas do not require a lot of watering, but like areas of sunlight