2 bushes. Zone 5. One seems invasive.

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by chirpybird, Jun 28, 2009.

  1. chirpybird

    chirpybird Member

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    On the south face of my elderly family member's house there are two types of bushes, or shrubs, which I can not identify.

    Plant #1
    The taller is at least 7 feet high and currently has white blooms. It doesn't seem to spread, but it comes back every year whether cut down or not. It attracts loads of bees, wasps, flies, and seems like deer flies for some reason, too. The longest leaves are about 3 inches, maybe a bit more, long. See one attached "longer leaf" pic - last pic in set below.

    Plant #2
    Height between knee and hip. Three pics attached - shorter length leaves. Spreads like mad. Seems extremely prolific and I'd like to say invasive. In a few weeks, it will start attracting wasps and bees like mad. I never see any flowers on it, but I think it must get very tiny ones along the stems. I believe in winter there are maroon colored berries along the stems, if my memory is correct.

    I'd really appreciate an id on these plants as I'm hoping someone will tell me they are known "bad guys" for the garden which should be obliterated. It would give me leverage in trying to persuade other family members to remove them. They are right next to the front door, and bring dangerous bees and wasps near this elderly person who is deathly allergic to stings.

    Thanks if you can help id these.
     

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  2. chirpybird

    chirpybird Member

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    *Bumping up this thread*

    Anyone have any clues?
     
  3. saltcedar

    saltcedar Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    Photo #4 appears to be Privet, Ligustrum vulgare or similar.
     
  4. chirpybird

    chirpybird Member

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    Thank you for giving me a great clue towards the first bush (pic #4). I am so happy to have an idea to check out - I'm going to google it right now.
     
  5. chirpybird

    chirpybird Member

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    PS: I found out that Plant #1 (picture 4) as you suggested does indeed look just like European Privet which my state says is an invasive plant. This may give me leverage with the family for decimating this horrid shrub once and for all. I went out and cut off all the flowers I could reach on it tonight. I don't plan to let them turn to berries if I can help it this year. (can't remember what the berries turn out like - but everything else matches) Thank you again, SaltCedar!

     
  6. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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    1. 2. and 3. May possibly be a shrubby honeysuckle. Lonicera. Good close up pics of any flowers or berries would help with id'ing it.
     
  7. chirpybird

    chirpybird Member

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    Thank you for your thoughts, Silver Surfer. I'm afraid Lonicera doesn't seem like a match. When I googled it, the flowers on the online samples were very visible. However, on this specimen I have never seen the flowers, although I assume they must be very tiny and next to the stem/stalk of the bush where they aren't very apparent. It can't be in bloom yet because the mad covering of bees and wasps hasn't begun yet this year. But later in the summer it will be a buzzing mass of stinging insects - and at that time I'm not likely to grab a stalk for a photo unless the temp drops to the point where the bees and wasps aren't flying. I'll see what I can do when that time comes.
     

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