Well, there are 3 total that I have found, it appears that it may have grown from cuttings discarded as they are on the edge of the property but could have been growing in this spot for years as the house was built in the 40's. The plants were surrounded and almost hidden by blackberry gone wild. One is fairly large, the other 2 are more modest and more the size of a pruned rose bush you would find in the yard. None are taking over anything, they seem to grow from several central canes that have spread out and grown quite long on the larger bush. Besides the difference in size, the only difference I have found in them is that the largest one doesn't have thorns and the 2 smaller ones do. They all have green canes with the lines running through them, red new growth and some of the canes are mixed red and green. I would love to transplant if I can figure out what they are as they are in danger of being bulldozed for the sake of progress. Thanks for the help! Susan

ML, Sorry it took me so long to respond back to your questions. Once this pest gets well established it can kill Arrowwoods (and probably a few other species) in a matter of a few years, if left unchecked. It is actually relatively easy to kill with a wide variety of insecticides if you so desire, but you would have to spray a couple times in the spring and at least 2-3 times in the summer, and for me it just isn't worth it---I would rather have plants that can fend for themselves a bit better. I do have at least 15 other species of Viburnums that should prove to be at least tolerant if not resistant to this pest, and I am leaving all of them in. So that is what I decided. What you decide should be based on how much you value the specific plants, how much you value keeping natives at any cost, how you feel about using pesticides on an ongoing basis. I like arrowwood viburnums, and I believe that with rejuvenation, and extra care, you could make yours look nice, but at what cost. I hope this helps.

Hi. I'm in zone 7a, don't know what zone you're in, but it may not matter. I agree with morz8. But I have some additional comments. The plants that you received from your friend were probably badly shocked by being dug up during the summer. So, heavy pruning probably helped them out for their first season in your yard, and helped them to recover. However, don't do that again. As morz8 explained, you won't get any bloom if you prune drastically. Here's how I prune hydrangeas in my yard. I don't do anything at all in the fall. Just leave them alone. Wait until the new growth starts in the spring. In my zone, this is in March. Now, you will be doing 2 things when you prune: 1 - prune each stem just above (1 inch) the new growth. 2 - prune (close to the ground or trunk) any stems which have no new growth at all. These branches are dead (this is normal) and will just form a thicket of dead stuff after several years. Now, just to be thorough, many of the new modern hydrangeas bloom both on old wood and new wood, meaning that drastic pruning would not eliminate bloom for the year. But, your hydrangeas are most likely the old-fashioned ones. Blooming only on old wood. Don't prune themn drastically. Hope this helps.

Thanks, everyone. It's funny (not funny ha ha but funny might cry) to note that both the euonymus and japanese honeysuckle (not to mention the ivy and the GIANT BAMBOO GROVE) are all considered invasive plants. I wonder about the sellers - what were these people thinking? :) The onion blades and the seedheads are two different areas, will have to look under the seedheads to see what leaves are there. It was hidden in the brambles so I didn't get too close. Let's hope that the tickseed/cosmos type seeds produce something pretty, because I am sure I have dragged it all over the landscape.