Topic: Can you identify this bush?

[hellohelenhere]

I'm not all that up on shrubs. :D Can anyone tell me what this is - the bush on the right? There are saplings of it growing around the side of this front 'garden', as well the large one there behind the wall. Would like to know whether it's going to earn its keep there, or whether I should replace it with something else.



and a closeup:



The leaves have lots of powdery mildew at the moment, in case you're wondering what colour the leaves are; they're a combination of green and russet.

[lavenderlux]

Hi Helen

I think it is 'dogwood' - Latin name is Cornus - and they do throw up lots of suckers.   
Some varieties of dogwood, if you cut them down to almost ground level (coppice) yearly, will have coloured new growth - usually red or yellow.   I think its probably going to be rather a large shrub for what looks like quite a small front garden. 

[hellohelenhere]

Ah, thanks Lavenderlux! You're right, some of the stems are red. I think I'll replace it - as you note, there isn't much space there and I'd rather have something that will do a bit more. A winter jasmine, perhaps, with a summer jasmine or some clematis montana.

I'm also a bit baffled by the holly. Daft place for one; can't let it grow into a tree there, so it's just going to stay the stunty bush that it is now - might replace that too, but the trunk is thick so it will take some work. Anybody got any tips on how to pull out or otherwise remove a hollybush?

[hellohelenhere]

... bump. :)

Can anyone advise me on how to get rid of a holly bush. Dig it out? Kill it, let the stump sit for a while and *then* did it out?

[Eristic]

Is it a bush or a tree? either way Holly roots are strong, thick and deep. Live with the stump or be prepared for some hard digging.

[hellohelenhere]

Thanks, Eristic. As I feared! :(

[saddad]

Amcide in the fresh stump will help kill it.... but you will still have to dig it out...  :-\