Another plant identification

[Karen]

This is growing along my deck, and I have no clue what it is. I know the previous owners cut it back to almost the ground every year after frost. Is it some type of hydrangea??

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/ABBYMEWCAT/flowers/DSC09457.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/ABBYMEWCAT/flowers/DSC09456.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y248/ABBYMEWCAT/flowers/DSC09455.jpg

[neetanddave]

Sure looks like it. I found this link http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch?keywordquery=hydrangea&mode=sciname&submit.x=7&submit.y=8 and some of the ones there look like yours.

Nice plant!

[Steve]

Yes, a killer plant, by all means, just beautiful. My take? It may be a sort of out of control Tree Hydrangea, unpruned, thus sort of not all that, bloom-wise, in the sense that that one should have bloomed earlier than now. Then again, there is a small voice telling me it might be a Viburnum species. Whichever, I love the look, for real.

Tell you what, this year, restrict a few of the branches, do a little thinning at the end of the year, making sure to leave alot of the main branches. I bet you get bigger blooms, and earlier.

[Karen]

I was also wondering about viburnum, but shouldn't that have also bloomed by now? We have a viburnum that was in bloom at least 6 weeks ago. Whatever it is, you are right when you say it is completely out of control. I do plan on cutting it back a bit differently this year. We saw something similar in a yard while we were away, and it had a nice main branch, was much taller and MUCH more under control. We are a bit overwhelmed by some of the things in the yard, so we are trying to slowly take charge one thing at a time :lol2:

[Steve]

Karen, no matter what else, you have inherited a marvy yard, dear. Yes, it looks like a lot of work, in a way. You know (and this will make more work, lol) you could cut down some of your grass, eliminate it, I mean, divide or even replant some of the more crowded plantings and have about 40 plants to use to populate new beds. It would please the hubby, lol, if he is the lawn guy, require less water (lawns are water hogs), and make even more flowers! Just a thought. (Remember, I work for be.......oops):spray:

[LokisMum]

Looks a lot like a hydrangea, although there are a lot of different types out there! Definitely needs some pruning to shape it up!

[Karen]

Karen, no matter what else, you have inherited a marvy yard, dear. Yes, it looks like a lot of work, in a way. You know (and this will make more work, lol) you could cut down some of your grass, eliminate it, I mean, divide or even replant some of the more crowded plantings and have about 40 plants to use to populate new beds. It would please the hubby, lol, if he is the lawn guy, require less water (lawns are water hogs), and make even more flowers! Just a thought. (Remember, I work for be.......oops):spray:

My husband jsut brought back 6 growlers of microbrew from vacation :lol2: Aaron likes his lawn, so he is not going to start adding beds at this point. He has big plans on how to get it back in shape. We'll see. :lol2: Crowded planting are next on the list also. That reminds me, off to start another thread!