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Hedge ID

mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
in Plants


Is this a variegated Cornus or Weigela...or indeed something else?? Photo was taken only a week ago. I thought if Weigela it would have had the lovely flowers on by now...unless it's perhaps been cut down previously a lot. I'm a little stumped as the leaves look identical to me. Thoughts appreciated. Thank you

Posts

  • Rashid.afzalRashid.afzal Posts: 3
    flower color?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's Weigela. It won't flower if it gets treated as a hedge though - the flowering stems will be getting cut off.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree. It flowers in spring on the previous summer's growth so if it was clipped in late summer or autumn that means no flowers this spring. Not ideal for a clipped hedge if you want flowers. My guess is they were planted as small plants, and someone started clipping them when they got up to the window instead of cutting the individual flowered branches back to new shoots lower down every year.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
    Thank you so much. That makes sense. Any tips on telling the difference between the Cornus and Weigela by the foliage? @JennyJ @Fairygirl
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited June 2020
    I think it's more about how the whole plant looks. The leaves can be very similar. In the pic below are a leaf of Weigela florida "Variegata" on the left and one of Cornus alba "Elegantissima" on the right. However that's one of the biggest leaves from the Weigela and one of the smallest ones from the Cornus.



    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
    Thank you @JennyJ that's very helpful. 
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    Generally, if you look very closely with Weigela leaves, they usually have a subtle serrated edge. Dogwood leaves tend to have a smooth edge. 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    If you fold a dogwood leaf in half across the veins, and carefully pull it apart, you'll see little fibres joining the two halves together.  It's useful for ID... tip from one of my college tutors.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • mariegalaxymariegalaxy Posts: 29
    I have just tried your trick with another plant I was pretty sure was a Cornus. It worked! Very exciting! @Liriodendron
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited June 2020
    Pics to illustrate
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
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