Asked on May 11, 2014
What kind of shrub is this?
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This is a shrub that is in my moms yard. My dad planted it years ago and instead of letting it bush out like most shrubs, he cut the underside limbs and made it look like a tree. So a lot of people ask what kind of tree it is and my mom always has to tell them it's a shrub. I would like to find out what kind of shrub it is because I want one for my own yard. Does anyone have any idea what it is?
27 answers
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can you get a close up of the leaves or flowers it may have?
Sparkles
on May 12, 2014
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It's hard to tell, but it looks like bridal veil spirea. Are there long branches of drooping flowers, like swords, almost? Amazing plant.
Annie Sires
on May 12, 2014
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Yeah, you really need to send a closeup shot of the leaves, too. The overall shape -- especially since it's been altered from what it originally was -- doesn't help much with identification. If it blooms, send a photo of the flowers, too. Thanks! Regardless of the type of shrub, you can probably get a stem cutting to root.
Linda B
on May 12, 2014
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It looks like an Wisteria!
Lilian
on May 12, 2014
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I have one that looks like that and if it blooms small white bell shaped flowers in the fall it is an Elaeagnus evergreen shrub and it will grow like a small tree.
Terri Jones
on May 12, 2014
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Looks like a butterfly bush
Renee Mullins
on May 12, 2014
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I believe @Terri Jones has correctly ID'd the plant as an elaeagnus.
Douglas Hunt
on May 12, 2014
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if it has white flowers and lots of seed after the blooms shed? I LOOKS LIKE IT MIGHT BE PIVETE Imight not have spelled it right
Margie
on May 12, 2014
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I agree that its a Bridal Veil or Butterfly Bush..
Sandy Hentila
on May 12, 2014
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Yes, it does. It's loaded with little white flowers. I'll have to take a closer picture of the leaves and flowers when I visit my mom today and post it.
Needa Stogner
on May 12, 2014
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I looked up pictures of the bridal veil and butterfly bush and it's doesn't look like them. I'm thinking it is either the elaeagnus or privet. I looked those up and they look very close to it.
Needa Stogner
on May 12, 2014
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I have this same bush, that I made into a small tree (approx. 11'). I has the most WONDERFUL aroma!!!! I have been trying to find out what it is for years! I have Googled it and asked around but no one has identified it correctly yet. Sorry, but... It is not a butterfly bush, wisteria or Elaeagnus. The stems leaves are side by side across from each one. The blooms are directly on top of the end of the stem/leaves and they are small white flowers grouped together on the top of the stem. It is in full bloom right now (South Carolina) and the seedlings from last year are also blooming as well. I will take a picture up close of mine and post it to show what it looks like with a closer view.
Gen
on May 12, 2014
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Hey Needa :) Does your Moms have an aroma of a strong "honeysuckle" smell? Does it bloom now and doesn't last too long till they turn brown and start falling off? When I get home this afternoon, I will try and take a picture of it up close, but I think we are talking about the same type of bush/tree. I would LOVE to know the true name. I have been thinking of going to Clemson Extension and asking them to identify it so I can stop wondering :)
Gen
on May 12, 2014
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looks like a tree!
Kat
on May 12, 2014
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Contact your local master gardners. They should be able to help you.
BeadSiren
on May 12, 2014
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no se ve bien, no podría opinar
Rosa Dominguez
on May 12, 2014
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Here's a closer picture of the leaves and flowers. The flowers have started turning brown, there's only a few here and there that are still white.
Needa Stogner
on May 12, 2014
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It appears to be a privet Ligustrum Sinsense or Ligustrum Japonicum ...a Chinese or Japanese variegated variety. See these links to compare: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/134751/ or http://plants.westwoodgardens.com/12170002/Plant/10453/Variegated_Japanese_Privet
Beth W
on May 12, 2014
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Needa, I hope these photos will show up enough that you can see them. I will take a sample and our pictures to our Clemson Extension hopefully this Friday and will get back to you. Thanks!
Gen
on May 12, 2014
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Hey Beth...I have researched the many varieties of Ligustrum and Privet. Unfortunately, that is not my shrub. The Privet looked similar, but not it :( Ours is more tree like and actually grows wild. It has come up from seed (we have a LOT of birds in our yard) in many different parts of our yard. We use to pull them up or cut them down until we let one grow and then bloom...that is what started it all, was the awesome aroma :)
Gen
on May 12, 2014
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Are the leaves "waxy"? Maybe it's an Indian Hawthorne.
Marcia Reichert
on May 12, 2014
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Have you studied Russian Olive trees and shrubs?
Katy Kendall
on May 13, 2014
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wisteria
Teri Cook
on May 13, 2014
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Ah, the foliage is variegated. That, and the fragrant blooms, incline me toward ligustrum.
Douglas Hunt
on May 13, 2014
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The leaves on mine are not waxy...not Indian Hawthorne. Mine is not variegated...not Ligustrum. Thanks for the help :)
Gen
on May 14, 2014
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Beth, you are correct :) I took a branch to my county extension and I paid $10 to ship it to Clemson University Plant Diagnostic. I just received an email from them telling me that it is in fact a "Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense)". WHEW!!! Thank you ALL for helping me find out what my tree is :) AND...it is fairly expensive online! Anywhere from $35 for a sprig to $100 for a little bit taller version.
Gen
on May 22, 2014
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Uh Oh! Mature Chinese Privet Along a Fence RowProblems CausedSeveral species of privet have been introduced in the US since the 1700s, as garden plants and hedges, for which they are very effective. These non-native shrubs, which are difficult to distinguish from one another, include: common privet (L. vulgare L.), glossy privet (L. lucidum Ait. f.), Japanese privet (L. japonicum Thunb.), and Chinese privet (L. sinense Lour.). Chinese privet is thought to have been introduced in 1952. The Ligustrum species easily escape cultivation to invade adjacent areas, where they can form dense monocultural thickets. As a result, they now are established throughout the eastern part of the country. RegulationsThe privets as a group are so widespread that they have been omitted from US and regional noxious species legislation. In the southeast, Chinese privet is included in all state invasive species lists. It is considered one of the top ten weeds in AL and GA, a severe threat in KY, SC, and TN, a Category One invasive plant in FL, and is included in the state invasive plant lists of MS and VA.
Gen
on May 22, 2014
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