Identify this Shrub, Please.

10 years ago

I need to prune the two bushes closest to the house. Can someone identify them for me first?

I remember someone told me they were both the same type of bush, but different varieties. The taller, lighter bush has no flowers. The shorter, wider bush has white flowers and green berries.

Also, is it possible to kill a shrub by pruning at the wrong time of year? Or is it just a matter of aesthetics?

Thanks in advance!

Lighter bush closeup.

Darker bush closeup.

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Comments (8)

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
10 years ago
Both are Prunus laurocerasus cultivars. Something on the lines of the cultivar 'Otto Luykens'. They will not be killed by pruning.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years ago
"They will not be killed by pruning."

LOL! If only it were that easy!!
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Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Yes, the lower one is likely 'Otto Luyken'. The larger one is likely 'Schipkaensis' (Skip), which is more upright. Remove the dead growth from the Otto Luyken and check for white scale on those branches (just in case).

Both may require more pruning than you are prepared for!

You can probably prune the Otto Luyken back about 8" to a foot. it should come back quickly. Where do you live?
Embothrium
10 years ago
Both want to grow tall enough to completely hide that window - what you really need to do is take them out and replace with dwarf kinds of shrubs
thecohens
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes, thank you. Thank you all!
thecohens
Original Author
10 years ago
Also, I live in Northern Virginia. Near you, perhaps, judging by your handle. :)
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
10 years ago
Yes, I am in northern VA and have both of these plants, so I'm very familiar with them!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
is it possible to kill a shrub by pruning at the wrong time of year?

==>>> i would add to the above .. there isnt much of anything that will die just for a pruning.. or even being run over by a truck .. lol ..

with flowering shrubs.. timing is usually associated with flowering ... and if done improperly ... you just might miss a season of such ... so be it.. if they need to be taught a lesson ...

severe cut back.. is not a hair cut thing ... get some good hand pruners.. and just track back down a stem.. to a branch with green ... and cut off the end ... the part left will assume dominance ... and take off ...

if you go as far back ... as just a brown stick ... it may take a long time for it to regenerate ... and that might not be pleasant to look at for 2 years .. or whatever ...

my key is.. you can always go back and take more.. you can not glue mistakes back on ...

this is a very common problem.. the plants were sited for the size they were at purchase.. with no real concept of there future potential monster size.. and on top of that.. planted too close to the house ...

by this time they are rather mature.. with a massive corresponding root mass ... and even if you go to town on them... they will probably be back to this size or bigger in 2 or 3 years ... and being one that doesnt really like the hobby of beating stuff like this back on an annual basis... i would think long and hard about removal .. and that usually happens after the second time i cut them back hard .. and decide.. ive had enough of that nonsense ...

take some off now.. try again in fall if you wish ... who cares about flowers right now ... and if you arent happy by next summer.. be done with them ...

ken