Trying to add additional pics... http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp539%3B6%3Enu%3D3384%3E785%3E%3B%3B8%3EWSNRCG%3D338955%3A675346nu0mrj http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp53987%3Enu%3D3384%3E785%3E%3B%3B8%3EWSNRCG%3D338955%3A676346nu0mrj http://images2.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp53986%3Enu%3D3384%3E785%3E%3B%3B8%3EWSNRCG%3D3389556%3B83346nu0mrj

Calycanthus occidentalis? western spice bush Here is a link that might be useful: western spice bush

On the off chance that you come back after a few weeks to look, what you have there is a Hydrangea. Probably a "moptop" kind - it looks exactly like the three moptops I have. The sticks that have no leaves on them can be removed if they are loose. If they aren't, leave them alone. You don't really have to do anything with them but it looks like it was pruned recently so you might have to wait one more season to get blooms. They set their buds for next year's flowers at the end of summer. So if you were to prune them, you wouldn't have flowers next year. That might be the case here. Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I spoke with a master gardener at the Ventura County Extension Office and it is Xylosma Congestum. As Joe said, I did not mean to imply it was native, my apologies. One of the major nurseries here in Austin is starting to push it as an alternative to Waxleaf Ligustrum and Red Tip Photinia. Both of which have been grossly over planted all over Texas. I thought I recognized it from the picture but wanted to be sure. I am thinking about trying it and wanted to research it more once I confirmed that it is xylosma. Mike - Thanks for the compliment of my daughter. Unfortunately it was a whirlwind tour and I really don't remember a lot of the landscaping except for the picture above and the roses. Although, everywhere I went in Los Angeles and San Diego the roses were phenomenal! Thanks again for everyones' responses, Jeremy