Two photos of a multi-stemmed shrub about 8' tall 6' wide, but spreads by underground suckers. I've looked all over the web and landed here so hoping someone can help me figure out what it is. A real nuisance plant.
I am going to guess willow, based on what I learned at Fuzzy shrub, alternate leaves | UBC Botanical Garden Forums, which has similar stipules (those round leaf-looking things). The leaves here are more smooth, and there is not the hairiness. Maybe something like Salix prolixa, which is found in Oregon. I'm not sure how close an ID can be had with no photos of buds or flowers or underside of the leaves, and I could be totally off the mark, in which case someone will correct me, please.
Thank you. I neglected to mention it's evergreen. I haven't seen the flowers if it has any. The underside of the leaf is much like the top. Shiny, leathery, more oval than long and slender. It's a horrid thing suckering everywhere.
Thanks, Ron. I'll comment on my thread that the stipules have some look-alikes. Here is a photo: Chaenomeles speciosa (richmond.edu) @Lowry, thanks for posting this.
The round stipules give the clue to Chaenomeles...plus leather leaves and sometimes thorns. The flowers are super...can be pink, red or orange in colour depending on which one you have. Very surprised that there are no fruits in it. They are edible and can be turned into wine or jams. See my pics below showing details. https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=11713966@N02&sort=date-taken-desc&text=chaenomeles&view_all=1
Thank you all. I haven't spotted any thorns, but also haven't gotten into the center of it. The round stipules are something I'd never seen and couldn't find any photos showing anything like that, but I am seeing the red tinged leaves. It's on my son's property and he's hacked it back repeatedly which is likely contributing to the suckering habit and lack of flowers and fruit. Chaenomeles species it must be! Mystery solved! I landed in the right place.
Yes, flowering quince it echos the era of house in background of photo The common one was very popular landscape back in the day on mine, coast near Vancouver BC - the flowers are bright hot pink in spring Before cutting pruning shearing it (horrors!) - investigate “does it bloom on old or new wood? I don’t know off hand it’s a handy shrub for early “forcing” as in picking a long stem or two and bring them indoors to cheer up your early spring Pinterest is likely full of ideas about that … I know I’ve seen it in Sunset magazine too.
https://www.christiansonsnursery.com/2019/03/05/forcing-early-blooming-branches/ Yes so be careful of thorns (wear work safe glasses if you’re gardening close to quince) mine had dropped small green “apples” —- I don’t know if they are safe to eat by human or livestock your garden is admiringly tidy! i like Willamette Valley neighbourhoods (i know Lake Oswego is lovely)
I'm going to investigate whether this plant can be saved, but I doubt it. The extreme density of the stems and the suckering habit make it attractive to blackberries, nightshade and clematis vitalba 'Old Man's Beard' growing up through it, so it's been a constant fight to keep all of those 'extra's' under control, and sadly no research was done when he moved in several years ago. It is a shame because flowering quince can be a lovely in the landscape.
