Hi all, Help needed with identifying this shrub (evergreen or semi-evergreen in zone 7). Please see attached photo. Leaves are opposite, similar to Ligustrum species but slightly serrated edges, oval and a bit pointy (leathery glossy look). Trunk is crooked (branches straight and staggered with reddish tinge, long internodes) and flowers are (as shown in picture) simple, 4- and 5-petalled, light salmon pink and small (with curious stamens, which look 'unopened'?) I think this could be an asian shrub, one small specimen growing in my neighbourhood in London, UK. Many thanks in advance, any comments much appreciated...
Welcome barberelle. Looks like Abelia grandiflora. The 5 star bits are sepals. The true flower bud is the bit in the middle. The flowers when open look like this... http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=ab...188&start=0&ndsp=33&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0,i:101 The flowers will drop of and leave the calyx/ sepals behind.Which go a deep red in late summer. http://www.gardenseeker.com/shrubs/abelia-shrubs.html
Thanks so much, after looking at the links, you have it spot on!! I was embarrassingly fooled by the sepals :) Really nice looking plant..
