Another Shrub ID Question Please

11 years ago

This grows against my house. Last year, I took my pruning shears and cut it to nothing. Well, its back. I don't want it against my foundation, but I don't want to take out a nice shrub/tree either. Please tell me what it is and if I should feel badly about taking my shears to it again. Notice the white flower like thingy on it.

Thanks for any help you can give.

Comments (7)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
if its improperly planted.. to close to the house.. for the ultimate vigor of the given plant.. then frankly .. you have 2 choices...

prune it repeatedly and dont complain..

or get rid of it ...

it looks like a common shrub .. of little or no real value.. perhaps elderberry/rogwood.. i am sure someone else will ID it ... but i hope you get the point ...

foundation plantings are planted.. it hide the foundation.. NOT ON THE FOUNDATION .. and too many peeps dont understand.. that that cute little plant in that small pot.. is going to be a monster someday ...

the fact that i can see the siding 12 to 24 inches back.. i am sure that this 4 to 6 foot plant.. is too close to the house ...

good luck

ken
botann
11 years ago
Looks like Cornus stolonifera.
NOT a foundation shrub.
Likes wet places.
Mike
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Sara Malone Zone 9b
11 years ago
If you like it, it transplants very easily - in the dormant season you can cut it down, dig it out (or part of it) and move it. As Mike says, it likes wet. If you don't like it, dig it out and dispose of it without guilt - it is not a rarity. Your own taste should be the determining factor!
mzdee
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks All!
Out it goes. I didn't plant it; I'm deathly leery about things growing close to foundation. Just don't like the combo of roots and basement walls. Gonna trim it down to nothingness and dab on Round Up.
I really appreciate the feedback.
Iris GW
11 years ago
Too bad - a native shrub probably planted by the birds and very popular with birds for the same reason. Would be nice to relocate for wildlife value.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
11 years ago
Presents absolutely NO concern with proximity to foundation walls. Only stucturally unsound or damaged foundation walls are those generally considered at risk from the vast majority of plants - IOW, it is the foundation that is at issue, not the plant.

FWIW, any shrub can be used for foundation planting provided it is size-appropriate. Cornus stolonifera/sericea is a wonderful and very versatile shrub that can be used in a wide range of seetings. It tolerates, but does not require, wet soils. In fact, it is very drought tolerant once established.
Sara Malone Zone 9b
11 years ago
gardengal it sure does better with water down here - it will survive on low water when established but often looks like hell. Not sure how hot the OP gets in summer but probably hotter than in PNW. Totally agree about the foundation thing!