Have a very invasive bush in my back garden (Northern England). Inherited from the previous owners and I’m interested in knowing what it is. Some photos in the links below - it’s quite non-descript with no flowers or fruits that I can see [the fifth photo has another bush intertwined with some yellow flowers].
It looks familiar but I can’t exactly place it. I suspect a spiraea of some variety but searching doesn’t bring up an exact match so far…
Spiraeas have alternate leaves, while the bush in Busy Scissors’ pics has opposite leaves. Based on this, and the smallish, smooth, oval leaves, the fissured bark and the growth pattern (arching main stems with multiple perpendicular offshoots), I’d consider this bush most likely a member of the Honeysuckle (Lonicera) family. Loads of species, including hybrid cultivars there, so further ID (and confirmation) would need more details.
Thanks for the replies - appreciate it’s not the most characteristic bush to identify. Honeysuckle sounds a good shout - I believe that is a common plant in UK gardens.
Its days are numbered, tbh - I’ve dragged loads of it out already clearing a veg patch, and it seems a fast grower and able to crowd out other, nicer looking plants.
Here in the northeast US, Winter Honeysuckle (L. fragrantissima) is considered invasive. It’s a large rounded shrub with semi evergreen leaves, depending on the severity of the winter. It has very small but fragrant flowers, very early spring. Resembles the photo in the OP.
Good point. I knew it looked familiar and indeed my back garden does have honeysuckle as well as spiraea. I should know as I spent several weekends clearing forsythia mingled with honeysuckle from a corner this winter.
Here is a pic of L fragrantissima that looks like a very good match to the OP’s pic: Plant Identification by Pamela Borden Trewatha, Ph.D. - Darr College of Agriculture - Missouri State
