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Name That Plant!New England Gardening garden

ID for small tree/large shrub with small white flowers in New England?

2 years ago

I thought this might be a native winterberry but I have other winterberries and the leaves don't really look the same. The pollinators (bees) seem to absolutely adore it! It's in bloom (tiny white blooms) now and the wee petals are cascading to the ground as the bees buzz through it. Any thoughts? It's on the border of a woodland area.

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Comments (5)

sweet_betsy No AL Z7
2 years ago
Perhaps beautyberry/callicarpa
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
This looks like an Ilex to me. Callicarpas have opposite foliage and showier flowers in clusters in the leaf axils.
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Depends on what you want. I happen to LOVE Amelanchier, but it is no way as showy with the flower display of the crepe/crape? myrtle. On the other hand, Amelanchier looks great in the fall and has cool berries that attract birds, so maybe a little more "3 season" interest. In my experience, the best thing to do when trying to decide about plant selection is to think about the plant and how it will perform all year around, so take into account not only it's showy features but its winter silhouette, form, maintenance, etc. I love both Amelanchier and Crape Myrtle. The myrtle has a long, showy bloom season but is ho hum the rest of the time. Amelanchier is nice most of the time, nothing spectacular at any particular time, but nice overall. To me the virbirnum are a total bore in the winter and when not in bloom or berry, but nice when in bloom and again in fall with foliage and berries. So it depends on how this plant will fit in with whatever else is going on in your garden.
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The pictured tree is in India, so is its mother. But the mother plant was from a cutting from someone who took it from around upstate NY. It thrives in India, so maybe its tropical. And was sold as an annual in NY. I thought it was Chionanthus virginicus as well. But yes I agree if you zoom into the white leaves they look different. Bromelia, I think you are right! Google images of Euphorbia leucocephala look very similar. The pictured tree seems to have thinner leaves but maybe a close different cultivar, or maybe just different growing conditions. Thanks everyone
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NO! Do not do a rejuvenation to any Viburnum!! Michael Dirr, who wrote the book on them and who has developed many of them, recommends infrequent and light pruning of Viburnums, if any at all. This is my favorite shrub. I have at least two dozen and about 8 different cultivars. I believe the one you have is a Burkwood, but it could also be Judd. Either way, it's gorgeous, pretty much pest- and maintence free, and you should definitely NOT coppice it. You do that to a Rose of Sharon or a lilac, but never to a Viburnum. Here is a link that might be useful: Michael Dirr's Viburnum for American Gardens
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If there's still a question, I think a closeup of the flowers would help with more definitive ID.
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NHBabs z4b-5a NH
2 years ago
It looks like winterberry to me. Perhaps post a photo of your other Ilex verticillata so we can see them together?
Embothrium
2 years ago
One being asked about appears to have protruding stamens and may therefore be a male plant, with this fact causing it to look different from your other (female?) plants in other ways.
ctlady_gw
Original Author
2 years ago
Here is the winterberry from my upper garden (where I know that's what it is -- it was purchased from a nursery years ago): the leaves are glossier and have a more definite point at the tip, but otherwise, I do think both are winterberries! (Wonderful news!)

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