It has self-seeded right under my bay window and I might have to take it
out.
At first I thought it was philadelphus (as the leaves are very similar) but
I compared them last week and they are not quite the same. Almost but not
quite.
Today I saw a shrub that matches the leaves exactly and it has white
berries, any ideas?

In message , Christina Websell
writes
It has self-seeded right under my bay window and I might have to take it
out.
At first I thought it was philadelphus (as the leaves are very similar) but
I compared them last week and they are not quite the same. Almost but not
quite.
Today I saw a shrub that matches the leaves exactly and it has white
berries, any ideas?

The commonest white-berried shrub is snowberry (Sympharicarpos albus),
but I wouldn't call the leaves of that similar to Philadelphus.

The next commonest is red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), which is a
common amenity planting. How often is naturalises is not clear. Cornus
does have Philadelphus-like leaves; when I started noticing semi-wild
Philadelphus (non-flowering) I was describing them as with leaves like a
dogwood, but toothed. The Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba) is sufficiently
similar to Cornus sericea that I can't tell them apart, but is less
common.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message
...
In message , Christina Websell
writes
It has self-seeded right under my bay window and I might have to take it
out.
At first I thought it was philadelphus (as the leaves are very similar)
but
I compared them last week and they are not quite the same. Almost but not
quite.
Today I saw a shrub that matches the leaves exactly and it has white
berries, any ideas?

The commonest white-berried shrub is snowberry (Sympharicarpos albus), but
I wouldn't call the leaves of that similar to Philadelphus.

No, it isn't snowberry, I know that one.

The next commonest is red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), which is a
common amenity planting. How often is naturalises is not clear. Cornus
does have Philadelphus-like leaves; when I started noticing semi-wild
Philadelphus (non-flowering) I was describing them as with leaves like a
dogwood, but toothed. The Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba) is sufficiently
similar to Cornus sericea that I can't tell them apart, but is less
common.

I googled for some images of cornus sericea and I think that's it. It's
quite tall already but the side branches are red so it seems like a good
match. I will have to try and move it as it is far too close to the house -
only inches away. I didn't notice it for ages as it was hiding behind a
buddleia I have in a pot and it's quite tall, so I hope I am able to dig it
out and relocate it.
Thank you for your help, Stewart, much appreciated.

Tina

In message , Christina Websell
writes

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message
...
In message , Christina Websell
writes
It has self-seeded right under my bay window and I might have to take it
out.
At first I thought it was philadelphus (as the leaves are very similar)
but
I compared them last week and they are not quite the same. Almost but not
quite.
Today I saw a shrub that matches the leaves exactly and it has white
berries, any ideas?

The commonest white-berried shrub is snowberry (Sympharicarpos albus), but
I wouldn't call the leaves of that similar to Philadelphus.

No, it isn't snowberry, I know that one.

The next commonest is red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), which is a
common amenity planting. How often is naturalises is not clear. Cornus
does have Philadelphus-like leaves; when I started noticing semi-wild
Philadelphus (non-flowering) I was describing them as with leaves like a
dogwood, but toothed. The Siberian dogwood (Cornus alba) is sufficiently
similar to Cornus sericea that I can't tell them apart, but is less
common.

I googled for some images of cornus sericea and I think that's it. It's
quite tall already but the side branches are red so it seems like a good
match. I will have to try and move it as it is far too close to the house -
only inches away. I didn't notice it for ages as it was hiding behind a
buddleia I have in a pot and it's quite tall, so I hope I am able to dig it
out and relocate it.
Thank you for your help, Stewart, much appreciated.

You can stool Cornus sericea (and sanguinea and alba), that is cut them
nearly to the ground. This is done horticulturally to encourage strong
winter stem coloration. That might help if you lose some of the root
system.

Tina




--
Stewart Robert Hinsley