Answers to the great 3Growbags quiz 2025

SECTION 1

Plant ID

1.

Nasturtium ‘Milkmaid’

Tropaeolum majus ‘Milkmaid’

Caroline likes the bright primary coloured types but I favour the greater sophistication of this creamy coloured climbing cultivar.

1 mark if you got common name, 1 mark for scientific name and and extra 1 mark for cultivar name. Total possible = 3

2.

Rooper’s red-hot poker

Kniphofia rooperi

An exciting late-flowering species of the red-hot poker that adds a real shot of drama in early autumn.

1mark for common name and 1 mark for scientific name. Total possible = 2

3.

The castor oil plant

Ricinus communis

Although, as its name suggests, the beans of this half hardy annual can be used to extract castor oil, they also contain fatal quantities of the toxin ricin, so please be very careful to keep dogs and children away from it!

1 marks for common name and 1 mark for scientific name. Total possible = 2

4.

Culver’s root ‘Fascination’

Veronicastrum virginicum ‘Fascination’

A great prairie plant that looks wonderful amongst grasses and sanguisorbas. You can extend its flowering period by selectively Chelsea-chopping a few of the emerging flowerhead in early summer.

1 mark for common name, 1 mark for scientific name and 1 mark for cultivar name. Total possible = 3 marks

5.

Plume poppy ‘Kelway’s Coral Plume’

Macleaya microcarpa ‘Kelways Coral Plume’

Yes it’s a spreader but who could resist its beautiful form and delicate flowers?

1 mark for common name, 1 mark for scientific name and 1 mark for cultivar name. Total possible = 3 marks

6.

Star jasmine ‘Star of Toscana’

Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Star of Toscana’

Plant this gorgeous scented climber somewhere sheltered where the scent can be held and enjoyed at close quarters.

1 mark for common name, 1 mark for scientific name and 1 mark for cultivar name. Total possible = 3 marks

7.

Spring vetchling

Lathyrus vernus

Great little woodlander, related to the sweet pea, but forming a low mound in mid-spring.

1 marks for common name and 1 mark for scientific name. Total possible = 2

8.

American pokeweed

Phytolacca americana

I keep giving young plants of this to Elaine and Caroline as they both covet it, but they don’t look after them properly….

1 marks for common name and 1 mark for scientific name. Total possible = 2

9.

Pineapple guava

Acca sellowiana

One of my favourite small trees. First the amazing flowers then the egg-sized fruits which taste a bit like a melon crossed with a pineapple, so hence its common name.

1 marks for common name and 1 mark for scientific name. Total possible = 2

10.

Himalayan blue poppy ‘Lingholm’

Meconopsis ‘Lingholm’

Frustrating than Caroline is the only one of us who

can grow this!

1 mark for common name, 1 mark for scientific name and 1 mark for cultivar name. Total possible = 3 marks

Total marks possible for Section 1 = 25

NB If you are not familiar with how to distinguish between common names, scientific names and cultivar names, and the grammar rules on how to write each one, we (actually I -the other two are a bit hopeless at this) have written a tutorial on the subject – link at the end.

SECTION 2

Everything’s moving around!

1. BUGS, PUGS, PEGS, PEAS, PEAR
2. DOVE, DIVE, LIVE, LIME
3. TOAD, TOLD, FOLD, FOND, POND
4. BEAR, BEAD, LEAD, LOAD, WOAD, WOOD

Cottage garden jumble

a) Hollyhocks

b) Marigolds

c) Dahlias

d) Marguerites

e) Gladioli

f) Shrub roses

g) Bearded iris

Garden trivia

1. Lupin
2. Northumberland
3. T E Brown (1830- 1897) in My Garden
4. Matthew 6 28-30 (Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount)
5. (Joe) Root
6. George Eliot
7. Stinging nettle

(Total marks possible for section 2 – 36)

So you could have scored a total of 61 points for section 1 and Section 2 combined – how did you get on????

If you want to brush up on how to name plants, and then take another quiz on this topic go to Laura’s Tutorial