What type of bush is this?

Jim Garcia
by Jim Garcia

I uncovered this bush while clearing a fence row. Evidence indicates it may have been up to 4' around and 4-5' high before it was covered over by weedy trees. One photo shows new leaf growth which is more ovate then the rest of the bush. It looks like some type of Spirea to me. Thoughts?

Branching

Front

New tip growth

Side view

  6 answers
  • L. Creative L. Creative on Oct 09, 2018

    Hard to see but looks like a rose bush.

  • Bijous Bijous on Oct 09, 2018

    Hi. Looks like a climbing rose bush.

  • Lia Lia on Oct 09, 2018

    If it has thorns, it's a climbing rose. If not, looks like spirea to me, too.

  • Jim Garcia Jim Garcia on Oct 09, 2018

    It's been drizzling for days and the water drops give it a harsh look in the photos. However, not a rose: no canes, no thorns. No buds either. Some Spirea set buds in the fall to bloom in spring, but I suppose it's still early to call it fall. I saw no blooms peeping through the overgrown Elms in the summer, though. Not sure when to prune. Some bloom in spring, some in summer, so pruning times differ. If it's a spring bloomer, I'll have to wait another year to find out what it is. Lack of sun would cause a spring bloomer to not set buds. It'll get plenty of sun now. Okay, I'm going to go with some type of Spirea and just leave it; ie put clippers away. I hope it's interesting! I like bridal veil, but it's so common. : ) Thanks, all.

  • Shannon Stordock Hecht Shannon Stordock Hecht on Oct 09, 2018

    The leaves appear to be opposite. Spirea leaves are alternate. Double check and you might have to take a branch to a garden center for an accurate name.

    • Jim Garcia Jim Garcia on Oct 10, 2018

      You're right! Thank you. I initially did an online leaf indentification and was sent to Spirea; old software that probably is buggy now. I never thought to look at it again. I'll try an online extension once the rain stops and I can get better photos.

  • Ellis Ellis on Oct 09, 2018

    This is a guess, but could it be a fothergilla shrub? Spiky white flowers in spring, bright orange-y fall color? It grows in shade.