Going to the dogs

Greetings. Many thanks to everyone who took part in Mystery guess #18. Some said the close-up pic was a mahonia, while another blogger thought it might by Primula denticulata. Well, I’m delighted to announce that Joseph Tychonievich at Greensparrow Gardens blog was bang on the money with his mighty guess of Petasites japonicus. This answer was ably seconded by Rob, but as you know, there can only be one winner in this game, so Joseph has the honour of being the first Mystery Guess of the year. Well done. Now the technical bit. I spotted several clumps of petasites around the large pond at Hodsock Priory in Nottinghamshire. The plant itself heralds from Asia and is most odd, with the flowers developing in late winter before the lettuce like foliage. Good luck next time folk!