I have never seen the first one, so I am curious too, to find out what it is! =) The second one looks like Viburnum lucidum <Viburnum tinus lucidum> (100% if it has white cymose-corymb inflorescence)
It is hardy enough for Washington, DC zone 7 http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/. It can withstand temperatures down to - 15 C. It is a common practice to take a risk and "push the zone" a little.
But New York gets temperatures down to -26°C (Central Park; from wikipedia). It isn't going to survive that! Also, the leaves on the plant here are a bit too narrow lanceolate for Viburnum tinus 'Lucidum' (compare e.g. here).
I have seen V. lucidum in Parks and Gardens in Neuss, Germany (South from Düsseldorf) that is Latitude 51º12' North, which is as far north as Quebec City, Newfoundland, etc. =) Lets not forget that a plant description is based on a type specimen and as it happens with us Humans, there are Tall, Small, Fat, Thin, etc. individuals. We might see some adaptations inside the same species. A great example, while studying at the University, was Pistacia lentiscus; Two specimens one in the coast the other in the mountain, hard to believe both are the same species. =) The first link shows a small shrub adapted to coastline conditions: https://twitter.com/MaximoDalmau/status/267179504416460802 Second link shows a tree alike shrub: http://anthrome.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_2414.jpg To be 100% we need to see the inflorescence, leaves are not enough. =)
What you say, Michael, is both true and untrue. You put it a little differently than Wikipedia. Wikipedia says: "Extreme temperatures have ranged from −15 °F (−26°C), recorded on February 9, 1934 . . .". What Wikipedia also says is that normally: "New York City experiences a humid subtropical climate" and "The average temperature in January, the area's coldest month, is 32.1 °F (0.1°C). However, temperatures in winter could for a few days be as low as 10 °F (−12°C)" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City. In the light of this information Viburnum tinus lucidum is perfectly hardy in New York city.
But a lot milder than New York in winter, because of the oceanic influence on the climate of NW Europe. Even milder still if you go to the Faroe Islands (60°N) ;-) But if it is a clonally-reproduced cultivar (as the references I found suggest), then it will be more consistent in leaf shape. I'd support Ron B on V. nudum, as that matches the leaf shape better and is a local native species in the area concerned, so rather more likely than an introduction from the Mediterranean.
Laurustinus surviving New York for long is not likely, in addition to the winters being too cold it would not be expected to appreciate the Amazonian summers.
Leaves represent 1/4 of the clasification process, which is not enough to identify a species. As I first said on this thread "it looks like" because it reminded of a plant I have worked with, but to be 100% certain flowers will be the key =) That is a good point! =) Keyword: Microclimates ----------------------- I am not supporting either V. nudum, V. lucidum or even another species until a flower is shown. =) Here V. nudum flowers: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/Viburnum_nudum_flowers_8601.JPG To compare with V. lucidum flowers: http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=4272&fromplants=pl_id=4244# and even more sorts of viburnum: http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants.cfm?pl_id=4244
http://www.plantsystematics.org/imgs/bboyle/r/Fabaceae_Dalea_albiflora_24447.html Dalea albifora photos but agree with you, the inflorescence is a bit long (which is exactly why it interests me...)
