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bernard

By Bernard

Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom Gb

Similar, but different.
We have two hedges comprising the plants shown in the photograph. From a distance they look very similar, but closer inspection reveals that they are quite different. Not only the colour of the berries but the very different way the foliage grows. It would be interesting to know if they are related or are quite different plants.



Pa250197

Answers

 

the one on the right is Cotoneaster, probably Cornubia, but would need to see the whole plant to be sure, to determine growth habit.
the one on the left I'm not sure about - does it have thorns and are those black berries I can see, or just a trick of the light?

25 Oct, 2010

 

I think that they are black berries, Bamboo. Could it be a type of privet? Agree that the other is cotoneaster.

25 Oct, 2010

 

The one on the left could be Lonicera nitida. It depends on the scale of the leaves.

25 Oct, 2010

 

just what I was going to say Volunteer, I think that the berries look purple

25 Oct, 2010

 

Oh, yes! I hadn't noticed the berries! Definitely Lonicera nitida.

25 Oct, 2010

 

Lonicera nitida on the left and Cotoneaster on the right, I thought, though it depends on the size for L. nitida. Could you possibly take a pic with a ruler or a 1p coin Bernard?

25 Oct, 2010

 

Agree Lonicera - provided there's no thorns, but unusual to see so many berries on a hedged Lonicera nitida

25 Oct, 2010

 

my neighbours has a well berrying Lonicera that GoY kindly id for me.

25 Oct, 2010

 

Thanks very much for your feedback, folks. I haven't been able to take any more photos as it hasn't stopped raining all day, but if it will help I can tell you that the overall length of the cutting on the right is 12cm long and the individual leaves are on average, about 25mm long. The hedge is accompanied by a tree which I am sure is the same variety
and the birds, especially blackbirds are absolutely potty about the seeds. They, and any other birds that can get a look in will strip the tree and hedge in a very short time once the berries have ripened to their liking.
Bamboo, if you could give me a clue what you're looking for when you say growth habit, I might be able to help, I had managed to dig out a photo from the archives that might be helpful but I can't find any way of adding a photo to this posting. The cutting on the left has no thorns, smaller leaves (about 15cm long and grow symmetrically from the stem, ie 2 leaves growing outwards from the same point and the berries are a delight, they are very glossy, seem almost black until the sun gets behind them when they become translucent and glow with a beautiful light blue/purple colour. I haven't seen any birds showing an interest in the edibility of the berries. Hope this helps.

26 Oct, 2010

 

If the second one you mention shows no inclination to become treelike, I'd definitely say it was Lonicera nitida. The other one, if part has become tree like, will definitely be Cotoneaster frigidus 'Cornubia' - my query was not whether it was Cotoneaster, but simply which one. Cornubia reaches 20 feet if left to grow. And the birds do love the berries, as do I - this is what I cut at Christmas if there are no holly berries about!

26 Oct, 2010

How do I say thanks?

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