ID for wild shrub please

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Pete8, May 15, 2025.

  1. Pete8

    Pete8 Super Gardener

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    For several years I've often noticed a little shrub in the hedgerow around the fields where I walk with my pooch and often wondered what it is when I see the flowers.
    The shrub is only about 2ft max tall and wide. The bright glossy leaves and white flowers are very attractive.

    Any ideas please?

    upload_2025-5-15_13-23-40.jpeg
     
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    • On the Levels

      On the Levels Total Gardener

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      Does it have thorns? Flowers look like Blackthorn. Have you noticed any berries in the autumn?
       
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      • Pete8

        Pete8 Super Gardener

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        Thanks.
        I didn't notice any thorns, but will have a closer look tomorrow.
        I think I did look for berries last autumn, but don't recall seeing any. It's such a little shrub amongst all the other shrubby plants and trees in the hedgerow it's not easy to spot until it flowers.
        There are masses of blackthorn too in the same area, but the one above has much bigger flowers and quite large glossy leaves.
         
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I always struggle with these types of hedgerow plants they often seem to be variations of some wild plant, they are also looking very similar, it looks like a Crataegus of some kind
         
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        • Michael Hewett

          Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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          I don't think it's blackthorn, that flowers in early spring before the leaves appear, usually March/April.
          Could it be a pear tree ?
           
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            Last edited: May 15, 2025
          • Pete8

            Pete8 Super Gardener

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            No definitely not blackthorn - there's lots of that around here and as you say they flowered a while ago.
            My pears finished flowing a few weeks ago and none have such dark glossy leaves - the flowers are similar though.
             
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            • SherwoodArrow

              SherwoodArrow Loam wasn't built in a day.

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              Google lens suggested crataegus succulenta - fleshy hawthorn?
               
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                Last edited: May 15, 2025
              • Pete8

                Pete8 Super Gardener

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                Good call @SherwoodArrow having had a google myself the flowers are almost certainly hawthorn as @pete also suggested.
                It's the dark green, very glossy leaves that don't quite match.
                I'll try and remember to take my mobile with me in the morning a get a pic of it in situ.
                 
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                • Pete8

                  Pete8 Super Gardener

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                  This looks a possible match -

                  upload_2025-5-15_19-53-46.png

                  I'm not overly concerned what the exact variety is, but I've seen it flowering in Spring for several years and always wondered what it was.
                  Nothing like the usual hawthorn leaves, but identical flowers
                   
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