Questions from a newbie...

[Fenris]

Okay, so my previous experience gardening has been limited to the years I spent as the "chief grounds-keeper" for my parents during my teen years - mow, edge, weed-eat, blow, repeat. I know zip about plants and trees - well, slightly less than zip, but still not much. Since I've moved to the Northwest, I've been blown away by the amount of vegetation that I am unfamiliar with. I'm trying to resurrect the yard, but I need some help identifying some of the plants on the property. Here are some:

This one produces vibrant orange berries, in the winter I think.



Not sure about this one, other than it has a very weird pineapple-shaped object on a long stem in the center.



This one has lovely, smokey purple leaves.



Sorry this one is so blurry.



This shrub is very dense in the middle.



Thanks in advance!

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

1. I scored 0 out of 6.

I haven't a clue, but someone will come in & help you.

They're awfully pretty though.

[GardeningGal]

2. I only know one of them.

The 3rd one down looks like Royal Purple Smokebush. I've always loved it and would have one but can't find the space. Here's a link for more info.

http://www.waverlyfarm.com/catalog-plant.html?code=CTNCGRP

[Gormy Cuss]

3. I agree -- it's some form of smoke tree/smoke bush.

They're very common in my part of Northern CA as small landscape trees.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

4. Welcome to the NW!

I went through the same thing when I got here 10 years ago, and I'm still learning.

I recognize the 2nd and 5th... but I have to go look up the names. :blush:

the first one... is it grass or does it have these blade leaves rising from a thick trunk?

[TygrBright]

5. Number one looks like a liriope. Number two looks like arum italicum. Number three...

...is a cotinus coccygyrus, or smoke tree as someone upthread identified it. Four is hard to tell, how big are those leaves? Are they sort of waxy in texture?

Five is also difficult to tell. Some kind of cotoneaster? Does it berry at all? How tall does it grow? Maybe a stephanandra?

Looks like you have some nice stuff in there!

encouragingly,
Bright

[ruiner4u]

8. I somewhat agree on #3.. its defiantly in the arum family...

Ive been wanting to get an italicum for a while.. So I dont know what they look like in middle stages...


And for the OP who probably has no idea what Im talking about...

Its a neat little plant that grows from a corm <a bulblike thing>.. The Arum family is famous for producing odd looking flowers that sometimes have incredibly disgusting smells.


This is a stock photo of a cousin to your #3... I have 2 in my garden and am very proud of them...


image google arum italicum and see if those look familiar

[Blue Gardener]

6. #4 almost looks like Bittersweet

Is it a vining plant?

[baby_mouse]

7. 5 is definately cotoneaster. Hideous stuff.

Kill it!

Well, maybe don't. I just think it's really ugly...

[susanna]

9. I'm just curious -

What Zone/area of the country are you in? I don't recognize any of those plants, but a couple are really beautiful...I particularly like the smoky purple one very much.

[Imalittleteapot]

10. 4 looks like hypericum

1. lirope
2. to be determined - I have a similar plant that I will check in daylight.
3. smoke bush
4. hypericum
5. ?