unique dark purple tall landscape plant from seed

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capecodgirl North Truro, MA Oct 09, 2009

I visited a garden on Long Island, NY and at the edge of the driveway was this stunning plant that was tall, with dark purple/chocolate brown leaves. The homeowner couldn't remember the name but said it came from seeds given to them each year by a neighbor. It was huge and quite a statement. Any idea what it could be? They plant it as an annual and plant it each year. Help with the identity please. It would look great among my elephant ears!

Thank you
Cape Cod girl

Post #7152148
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dahlianut Calgary, AB(Zone 3a) Oct 09, 2009

Hi ccg. If it had no flower to speak of maybe ruby orach (mountain spinach)? http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.aspx?item_no=S10747

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Oct 09, 2009

It would help to know how tall you mean when you say it was a tall plant, but the first thing that comes to mind for me is castor bean, Ricinus communis. There are a couple of cultivars that have dark leaves--take a look and see if the leaf shape looks like what you saw. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=ricinus&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=communis&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&searcher%5Bgrex%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search

Post #7152244
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capecodgirl North Truro, MA Oct 09, 2009

You got it ecrane3! Thank you! It is the "red spire"

I looked all over the net then I remembered this site. Hooray! Now, how cool would this look surrounded by elephant ears in my "weird" garden! Now, I just have to find the seeds. Any suggestions?

CCG

Post #7152473
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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Oct 09, 2009

Here are some sources for seeds...none of them have 'Red Spires' but 'Carmencita' and 'New Zealand Purple' have darker foliage as well and should look similar http://davesgarden.com/products/ps/search.php?search_text=ricinus&submit=Search Do be aware though before you plant these that they are poisonous and the seed pods can be attractive to children, so if you have young children I probably wouldn't plant them.

Post #7152650
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