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Unknown Shrub and pest infestation

mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34
in Problem solving

Hi All,

 

I have a large shrub in my back garden against an east facing fence. I would like to know if anyone can identify this? It has pinkish  creamy florets in early spring, followed by small hip shaped berries in a metalic mauve colour. the shrub is a fast grower.

image

 

I also have an infestation of bugs on this shrub which i cannot identify any help with either would be appreciated. I have hosed them down and I have used bug killer on them, nothing even moves them. I have never seen them move, and have never seen anything like them before. They appear to congregate mostly on the more mature wood and are thickest at the top ot the shrub. They are about the size of a small ladybird.

image

 

Thanks

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Posts

  • mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34

    Updated photos

    image

     

    image

     

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    Morning image Not sure on the shrub....no real time to look...the pest is scale insect not easy to get rid of I'm afraid.

  • mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34

    Thank you. Not too worried about the name of the shrub, although it would be nice to know. What problems do scale insects cause?

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    If you can't scrub them off with a stiff brush, the only insecticide which will work against scale insect is a systemic one which is absorbed into the plant like Provado ultimate bug killer.  It will take a long time to work and may need repeat sprayings.

    Looks a bit like a Bay tree, but not sure.

    Edit: Just saw your reply which appeared as I was replying.  Scale insects suck the sap of the shrub and weaken it.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34

    Thanks Bob, no it's not a Bay Tree.

  • XX Posts: 707

    Type of viburnum (tinus maybe).

  • addictaddict Posts: 659

    Actually looks like plain old laurel mimi. If it is and you want to hack...I mean cut.... off the worst  bits it won't do it any harm.

  • mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34

    It's not laurel addict, but I was actually thinking today that cutting off the worst bits which are at the top might just be the best way of getting rid of the  little blighters. image Not sure about it being a viburnum but I will check that out thanks Paula.

  • mimi's-gardenmimi's-garden Posts: 34

    Yes think it could be a Viburnum, no idea which one though.

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