What is this?

Kelly-n-Tony
by Kelly-n-Tony

It's about 3 ft tall currently so I think a tree of some sort.

  12 answers
  • HandyGirl HandyGirl on May 05, 2019

    Could be hibiscus. I think I see whitish looking stalks sticking up?? If it’s hibiscus, there will be stalks sticking up that each one can be pulled straight up out of the ground. That’s last years woody growth that died back during the winter. Do pull that out and if the danger of frost is past also remove any debris. Leaves, etc that gathered in those during the winter. Just leave it alone and it will regrow, bud and flower. Cold-hardy Hibiscus flowers are beautiful but only last a single day. So once the show starts you need to deadhead the shrub to keep it flowering. Just pull the spent flowers off and the next bud will be behind it. I used to have several and the flowers were dinner plate size. Beautiful.

  • HandyGirl HandyGirl on May 05, 2019

    Also could be weigela. If so, you will only get blooms on old growth so any pruning should be done with caution. Flowers, once they appear, will be trumpet shaped. The way to prune these is to take out about 1/3 per year of the thickest old growth. Do NOT chop these off like a hedge! Let the shrub do its thing— when the blooms come it will be a stunning show with the blooms so heavy that the shrub will sort of open up as the branches will sag under the weight. These shrubs need lots of room to spread out. If location allows, they are very easy to care for. Just remove about a third of the branches from as low in the shrub as you can each year. It will be a significant amount but done only once so you don’t have lots of maintenance. If it’s in a tight space, move it to a sunny spot with lots of space or you’ll be pruning constantly and not getting the benefit of the flowers when they come.

  • Marcie Marcie on May 05, 2019

    Take a piece to the local garden shop, a real garden shop not a big box store. We have a lovely local garden supply that is family owned and very helpful. I would carefully cut off a piece, take good pictures and then take it to them. Good luck!

  • Ann Ann on May 05, 2019

    There’s a tree called Box Elder. Might be that. They are a bit invasive, spreading by seed. But if you like it....keep it. Woodworkers like Box Elder Wood because of the interesting grain.

  • Sue Sue on May 05, 2019

    There is an app called Picture This . You point your cell at a plant,tree etc and your camera will take a picture of it and tell you what it is ...Great app.

  • Sherry Keeble Paradis Sherry Keeble Paradis on May 05, 2019

    Hydrangea, but I would take a leaf to a nursery and ask. Sue I didn't know about the app Picture This thanks for sharing

  • Brends Brends on May 05, 2019

    It appears to me to be lantana

  • Redsenji Redsenji on May 05, 2019

    Box elder....pull it up...harbors box elder beetles...you dont want those.

  • Tammy Miller Tammy Miller on May 05, 2019

    Could be a weed.

  • Dawn B Dawn B on May 06, 2019

    It looks like a box elder. If you get overwhelmed by box elder bugs in your area, that is what they feed on.

  • Diana B Diana B on Jun 01, 2021

    Elder Tree (Member of maple species)