Anyone know this bush?
By Healerwitch
Sussex County, Delaware,
United States 
I have this bush growing in the back yard wild....the birds love it in the fall and winter, so I leave it alone. But I would dearly love to know what it is
The branches are about 6-7 ft long stemming from a central point, the leaves have kinda wavey edges, with the undersides a little grayish or silvery. In Spring the flowers smell like honeysuckle
23 Sep, 2009
Answers
I think this is Elaeagnus umbellata. The sweet scented flowers and silvery underside to the foliage rings true.
23 Sep, 2009
ps Just checked the fruits and they look about right also.
23 Sep, 2009
Ohhh thank you so much....I have just spent some time comparing online photos to the bush, and you seem to be spot on!
It is a shame it is considered invasive in so many areas......as it does provide nice food for the birds!
23 Sep, 2009
We have a couple of Elaeagnus where I work (not that one though) but some of the traits are the same. The silvery, scaly leaves and the sweet scented flowers, four petalled I presume?
23 Sep, 2009
Fractal....I forgot to check the flowers this past spring, it is a job I have set my mind to accomplish next spring!
It is frustrating (after the fact) to realize you forgot something so fundamental to identification! But I will correct it in the spring and will post pics of the flowers then!
23 Sep, 2009
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Apart from the berries, it looks for all the world like Bay - are the leaves aromatic when crushed at all?
23 Sep, 2009