Plant identification

Question: I have this shrubby plant doing very well in my garden, but doesn’t look like anything I’ve planted.  I haven’t seen any flowers yet.  I’m trying to figure out if it stays or goes.  Thank you!

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 05, 2024, 3:05 PM EDT
response: Hi,  It looks like thyme. Does it smell when you crush the leaves. Could you give us a picture that is zoomed out and the approximate size?  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 06, 2024, 3:57 PM EDT
response: Hi Emily, I took a few more pictures.  The plant has a scent, but not thyme. It also didn’t taste like thyme.  I know, but couldn’t help taste a small leaf. I meant to add a tape measure to the photo, but forgot.  The plant is about a foot tall by 2-3 ft wide.  It’s got rather woody stems.  Thank you!  Janice      Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone  On Monday, August 5, 2024, 3:05 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 07, 2024, 9:38 AM EDT
response: It is still difficult to see identifying details from your photo. Is the plant intertwined with other plants in your garden? Is all the growth coming from one main trunk or are there many stems growing close together? It looks similar to some fall blooming plants like Goldenrods or Asters: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fall-flowering-plants/ or even weeds such as Lambsquarter, once it is mature:  https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2294  We think it's likely to flower soon, and that will reveal its identity. Share a photo, and we'll be happy to i.d.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 07, 2024, 11:18 AM EDT
response: Hi Christine, I will follow up with a photo of the flowers once it blooms.  The plant is supported by a few woody stems.  Far fewer than I expected when I got a look at the base.  I tried to plant mostly native  plants here about 2 years ago.  Some did well while others didn’t so I tried to fill in, but lost track of what I added. Then of course I also have weeds that I wasn’t able to completely eliminate.   Thank you for your help!  Janice  Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone  On Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 9:38 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied August 07, 2024, 1:23 PM EDT
response: You're welcome. We look forward to seeing the blooms.

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 11, 2024, 6:57 AM EDT
response: Hello again, This plant finally started to bloom.  I think it’s an aster, but not sure which. I now remember planting some stems from a friend’s garden, but they didn’t grow well and I thought it died.  It certainly didn’t look like this. Thanks! Janice

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 11, 2024, 9:27 AM EDT
response: Hello Janice,  Yes, we agree this is a type of Aster. Which species we can't tell, as there are dozens that can be grown in Maryland, and many look alike. It might be one of the popularly-grown species like New England Aster or New York Aster, but there are too many possibilities for us to be certain.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied September 11, 2024, 3:17 PM EDT
response: Thanks Miri!Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Wednesday, September 11, 2024, 9:27 AM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied September 11, 2024, 5:31 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!