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piers66

By Piers66

Surrey, United Kingdom

Can you identify these plants please?

The first one is in my girlfriend's garden, and hasn't been pruned for ages (if ever?). It's got rather large (between 4 and 5 foot tall), and we were thinking of attacking it with the shears, but as it's just coming into flower will probably wait a few weeks. Can anyone tell me what it is, and give any tips on pruning / general maintenance?

The second plant is stuck behind the first, and was pretty much completely hidden by it and a large pittosporum tenuifolium which we've just reduced drastically. What is it, and depending on how hard we prune the first, should it really be moved to a better location?

Thanks,

Piers.




Answers

 

Second one is Persicaria possibly Red Dragon. It does well in light shade like that.
Would like en even close view of the leaves and flower of the first shrub.

1 Jun, 2016

 

Could the red one be Atriplex?

I agree with Owd that a closer view of the shrub would be helpful but it might be an elder of some kind.

1 Jun, 2016

 

Is the shrub a Cotoneaster, maybe?

1 Jun, 2016

 

Hello,

I've updated the first photo to include a better close-up of the leaves. Hopefully that'll help.

For the second, I've had a look at Persicarias, and they look possible, though the leaves on this specimen seem wider, less variegated, and less crinkly edged than others on the net...

Piers.

1 Jun, 2016

 

I thought the first one was a red leaved variety of Lysimachia ciliata, perhaps Firecracker??

1 Jun, 2016

 

On second thoughts, purpurea not firecracker? If that's what it is it will have little yellow flowers up the stem in summer and its inclined to spread if not controlled.

1 Jun, 2016

 

Changed my mind about the red leafed thing, agree with Stereagram, Lysimachia Firecracker. An awful thug which I have been trying to eradicate for over 5 years.
The shrub could be Choiysia, but not sure.

1 Jun, 2016

 

Hello,

The Lysimachia Purpurea looks quite likely to me. As far as I'm aware it was planted some years back but doesn't seem to have spread at all, maybe that's due to the shady spot it's been in.

The first plant is definitely not a Choisya (unless it's an unusual variety), I have one of those in my own garden and know it well. Various things don't match, for example the leaves are arranged alternately, not whorled.

Piers.

1 Jun, 2016

 

I'd go with Persicaria for the red leaved plant, those markings are typical.

1 Jun, 2016

 

The flowers will clarify it with a little patience.

1 Jun, 2016

 

Hello,

According to the guy who planted them, the top plant is a Spirea japonica, which surpised me. Looking online, might it be a nipponica, not a japonica? The leaves look more similar.

The second is apparently a Persicaria, but I've no info about the variety.

Piers.

3 Jun, 2016

How do I say thanks?

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