What is this shrub? I've had it many years but have no idea what it

Louise
by Louise
is. And what about these long pieces? They grow like this every year and I always cut them off. Is that the correct thing to do?
  10 answers
  • Irish53 Irish53 on Apr 13, 2014
    Can't really see the leaves to tell what it is, but the shoots are new growth. Cutting them is no different than pruning the bush. Are there berries or blossoms?
  • Louise Louise on Apr 13, 2014
    No berries or blossoms. I'll take a closer photo.
  • Debra Adamson Debra Adamson on Apr 13, 2014
    The plant is Elaeagnus. Has a very sweet bloom on it in January. Some varieties have a very small kiwi shaped fruit. You will want to keep it pruned.
  • Debra Adamson Debra Adamson on Apr 13, 2014
    Avery fast growing plant. I have a flower shop. I use the long shoots in my design work. It doesn't hurt to cut them off.
  • Tanya Peterson Felsheim Tanya Peterson Felsheim on Apr 14, 2014
    And it grows like my Laurels I didn't pay attention to for a few years...ended up taking over 5 feet of my mini garden area without me noticing!
  • Lawns & More Lawns & More on Apr 14, 2014
    Yes it is an elaeagnus-silverberry plant. they grow erratic and need pruning.
  • Katie Price Katie Price on Apr 14, 2014
    Where I live Eleagnus is very invasive. Most people who have it in their landscape wish they didn't. If not managed carefully, it can climb up into trees and become a nuisance.
  • Louise Louise on Apr 14, 2014
    I've had this shrub for yrs and it's never spread to anything. :-o
  • Christine Brown Christine Brown on Aug 18, 2014
    @ Louise, at home talk.If you do not want the plant, cut it all the way down to the ground and order some troadrol. I buy it at the farm store, I cut the mulberry trees down and I paint the tops, where you cut it to the ground, they will never come back. You have to paint the top so it kills the roots. Any vine or bush is hard to kill unless you cut it to the ground. You only paint tops so your not ruining your yard just the vine or plant. When painting the top of it make sure it will be dry for a couple of days better chance of dying. I am not sure I spelled it correct but ask again if you cant find it. I will write the name down and let you know. You paint top because do not want posion in your yard or very little. If you want plant always take off those dead shoots and keep it trim back so it does not spread every where. It will take over trees or anything. It as bad a Ivy, Silver grand father vine, lilac. Looks bad and has no use kill it and plant some beautiful.
  • Louise Louise on Aug 18, 2014
    This has been in my yard for many years and I haven't noticed it spreading at all. I think it's sorta pretty and don't want to destroy it.