Lime green shrub - probably evergreen

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by clueless1, Oct 15, 2011.

  1. clueless1

    clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2008
    Messages:
    17,778
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Here
    Ratings:
    +19,598
    Morning all.

    In the well kept gardens outside the stuffy building where I work, there is a lovely shrub.

    Unfortunately very strict site rules mean I can't take a pic.

    The bush has leaves not unlike a larger version of box. The leaves are oval and about an inch long. the colour is lime green, and catches the light so much that it stands out even on dull grey days. Its bushy, with the appearance of privet or box (but differs from box by its larger leaves). The stems are similar to privet, but the colour is too far removed from common privet for me to say its that, its very bright lime green.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. *dim*

    *dim* Head Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    Messages:
    3,548
    Location:
    Cambridge
    Ratings:
    +1,593
    Philadelphia coronarius Mock orange?

    not evergreen though

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Louise D

    Louise D Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,572
    Occupation:
    Medical.
    Location:
    Somerset Coast
    Ratings:
    +502
    Eleagnus ?
    Griselinia ?
    Choisya ?
    These are plants which get used in public/communal planting schemes a lot.
     
  4. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer PLANTAHOLIC

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2010
    Messages:
    2,670
    Occupation:
    Semi retired amateur plantaholic gardener
    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND. UK
    Ratings:
    +3,417
  5. Spruce

    Spruce Glad to be back .....

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2009
    Messages:
    8,896
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +12,497

    Hi

    Why dont you pick a leaf off then take a photo when you get home , then MI5 wont mind

    Spruce
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Trunky

      Trunky ...who nose about gardening

      Joined:
      Apr 23, 2011
      Messages:
      2,926
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Professional Gardener (retired)
      Location:
      East Suffolk
      Ratings:
      +10,741
      From the description, my first thought was Griselina.
       
    • Axl

      Axl Gardener

      Joined:
      Nov 23, 2009
      Messages:
      703
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +446
      First thought was as Silver Surfer, Choisya ternata Sundance. Give the leaves a smell. Pull one off and crush it, does it have a distinctive smell?
       
    • *dim*

      *dim* Head Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 26, 2011
      Messages:
      3,548
      Location:
      Cambridge
      Ratings:
      +1,593
      could possibly be ceanothus Zanzibar .... a stunning shrub with limegreen (evergreen) leaves and blue flowers in summer

      [​IMG]
       
    • clueless1

      clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

      Joined:
      Jan 8, 2008
      Messages:
      17,778
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Here
      Ratings:
      +19,598
      Thanks all.

      I think I saw the one in one of the pics you've all posted. I'll have another look on monday morning at work, just before my smoke break, so I can do a comparison while its all fresh in my mind.

      In any case, there are some nice looking plants in those pics, most of which are new to me, so thanks for all the ideas.

      Because it seems I'm too dumb to have thought of that:heehee:

      The most obvious solution is so often overlooked.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • davygfuchsia

        davygfuchsia Gardener

        Joined:
        Dec 2, 2010
        Messages:
        895
        Location:
        Northamptonshire
        Ratings:
        +257
        I think I would go with Choisya ternata Sundance and as mentioned if you cruch a leaf it wil have a really strong smell ..

        Dave
         
      • clueless1

        clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

        Joined:
        Jan 8, 2008
        Messages:
        17,778
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Here
        Ratings:
        +19,598
        Studying some pics some more, I can rule out the following (although they are all nice looking plants and I'm not ruling them out as possible candidates for my garden - just they are not the one I see at work):

        * Eleagnus
        * Ceanothus

        Possible matches are:

        * Choisya
        * Griselinia
        * Berberis Thunbergii 'Bonanza Gold

        I don't think its that "Choisya ternata Sundance", the leaves on that one look too much on the yellow end of the spectrum. The bush at work is more green, but in a strange way because its lime green, but seems to glow. I don't mean its especially brightly coloured, does anyone remember in the 1980s when lots of things were luminous, like markings on watches and clocks, and they all had that radioactive glow before people realised that it was not a good idea to walk about with a piece of radium strapped to yourself? Its that kind of colour and effect.
         
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Feb 2, 2011
        Messages:
        36,358
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Dingwall, Ross-shire
        Ratings:
        +55,341
        How about Berberis Thunbergii 'Bonanza Gold. :)
         
      • clueless1

        clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

        Joined:
        Jan 8, 2008
        Messages:
        17,778
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Here
        Ratings:
        +19,598
        Just googled it, a definite possible.
         
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Feb 2, 2011
        Messages:
        36,358
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Dingwall, Ross-shire
        Ratings:
        +55,341
        Clueless, did you manage to get a leaf from the shrub today? :)
         
      • clueless1

        clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

        Joined:
        Jan 8, 2008
        Messages:
        17,778
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Here
        Ratings:
        +19,598
        Unfortunately not. Its right outside the window of another office. Usually, as far as I can tell, nobody actually does any work in there, so nobody about, but today there were several womenfolk near the window so I was too self conscious to pick a bit off.

        I did get a better look though. The leaves are variegated, bright green, with yellow streaks, hence the lime green appearance from a distance.
         
      Loading...

      Share This Page

      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
        Dismiss Notice