Whats wrong with this bush?

Hi All,

Since we moved into this house five years ago, the hedge/bush pictured has looked like this. There is a smaller version of the same bush on the other side of the garden and that looks the same.

There is also small dark spots on the branches/trunk. Being a complete novice this may be normal!

No other plants/bushes look eaten like this and it doesn't look infested with any insects.

I just want to know if there is anything I can do to get it back to health or should it be got rid of?

BTW does anyone know what this bush is called?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regs,
Numb

 

I would say that the plant is Viburnum tinus and the problem is caused by Thrips. Spray with a systemic insecticide,:gnthb:

 

Thanks for ya help. I actually forgot it was a flowering bush as it rarely does so!

should I give it a hack down first? It's way too big anyway and needs a damn good pruning anyway?

 

Spray it first, and don`t cut it too hard back.:gnthb:

 

Don't want to be contentious here - but I'm not sure that shrub is viburnum tinus and i'm not sure that damage is done by thrips.
I think it could be pruned down to any size you want it to be. For best results it would help to know what it was, but given the mess of it any time would do.
If it was mine I would chop it to the size I want, spray it with insecticide - once or twice, and wait and see what happens next year. It might even flower.

 

I took off a sizable piece of it and had a good look under the kitchen light (other half was not impressed!!) and to be honest I couldn't find anything crawling on it other than a money spider!

Would it help to get a shot of the 'fruit' and post it up?

 

That`s a good idea. Though at the moment I`m sticking with BOTH my identifications.:gnthb:

 

Well if it does fruit do let us have a look.

 

Hi Alice and Daitheplant,

Here's some more pics to help ya identify - but please no fisticuffs!!!! :wink::


The fruit


leaf close up


the other bush - sorry state!

I've had anothe good look at the leaves and cant see anything crawling about anywhere.

Thank for your help.

Regs,
Numb

 

It is STILL Viburnum tinus with Thrip damage.:gnthb:

 

Cheers for that. I'll get some systemic insecticide as suggested. How long should i leave it before I cut it back?

Regs,
Numb

 

Do any pruning in May.:gnthb: