What am I

[Rosee]

Hi all,

I have the below 'bush' in the back garden, looks like its been cut back by the previous owners, does anyone know what it is please? It has small purple flowers. (Sorry the pic of the whole bush isn't the best)

Next to the bush is a container with another plant, this one with small pink flowers...again can anyone identify for me please x

[veggiechicken]

The bush looks like Ceanothus.
The small plant is Herb Robert, often regarded as a weed but I leave it to grow

[chris]

It spreads like mad too, so if you don't want it elsewhere, rip it out before those flowers set seed. It seems to spread by root runs too, I've pulled out over a 6' length of root from it!

[veggiechicken]

You're heartless, Chris Its a wild geranium with leaves that turn a vivid red in Autumn - what's not to like

[Rosee]

Thanks all, Robert is in a pot which I intended on getting rid of (unless it was something special) ill do some googling on the bush

Much appreciated

[Hazel at the Hill]

Yes, I'd say Ceanothus too - I like the glossy dark green leaves and blue flowers, but it grows like mad too, so you will have to be pretty ruthless with pruning.

[chris]

You're heartless, Chris Its a wild geranium with leaves that turn a vivid red in Autumn - what's not to like

Well, you come and pull it out of my gravel drive then!!!

[Linnea]

Agree ceanothus but I have the opposite trouble with pruning them. I can very easily (and have twice now) killed them just taking out dead wood, they just gradually start to die back and then go completely brown. I really don't understand what I do wrong with them!

[Two_Sheds]

ceanothus but I have the opposite trouble with pruning them.

Ceanothus / Royal Horticultural Society

any clues there?

[Martin H]

You're heartless, Chris Its a wild geranium with leaves that turn a vivid red in Autumn - what's not to like

The smell of the foliage makes me feel quite ill, it's disgusting. Put on a gas mask then pull it up and compost it before it gets any bigger!

[Linnea]

Ceanothus / Royal Horticultural Society

any clues there?

Thanks but that's the advice I use and they still die on me!