Any horticulturists in the Tea Shop today?

[skicat]

Can anyone identify this bush for me? I think its an evergreen.

I can identify the glove. It's the plant I'm having trouble with.

I have 3 of these bushes tucked away in a corner of the garden. I've not touched them in the 4 years I've lived at this address, and its got a bit out of hand. All the bushes are intertwined with each other, and with some brambles coming over the fence from behind. I'd like to sort them out but I don't know what shape the bushes should be. In the picture below I've cut them back about 18 inches, just to see what's there really, they were all over the ground.

I hasten to point out, I know nothing about gardening.

[Elizabeth_S]

Cotoneaster? Could be a honeysuckle (there is a shrub type)

[CliveyT]

Cotoneaster? Could be a honeysuckle (there is a shrub type)

I would say cotoneaster as well, does it get small berries on it autumn/winter?

I can understand wanting to cut it back, but wrong time of year really- if only because birds (at least around our way) may already be nesting in there

[fausto copy]

Looks more like Lonicera Pileata to me.
You can cut it back really hard and it will recover.
We've got a couple in the woodland section of our garden and they are really tough and hardy.
Hack 'em back!
And now is a good time.

[bogmyrtle]

The stems don't look like Cotoneaster. More like Lonicera (honeysuckle family).

[gbnz]

I'd suggest Lonicera Pileata too.

Beloved of design and build construction companies for "landscaping" dead areas of tarmac around discount food retailers. Offers nothing in terms of shape, form, colour, flower or general interest, so probably best pulled out

[maff1977]

could also be lonicera nitida http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_nitida

grows really easily from cuttings and makes a neat clipped hedge or topiary like box but quicker growing.

[skicat]

Offers nothing in terms of shape, form, colour, flower or general interest, so probably best pulled out

I agree that it's not a particularly interesting specimen. However it is in a remote corner of the garden and it hides an even more ugly fence so I think I'll leave it where it is.

[Edwards]

Is it edible?

If it is you could use the leaves on a salad. Probably taste nicer than Rocket.

[skicat]

could also be lonicera nitida http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_nitida

grows really easily from cuttings and makes a neat clipped hedge or topiary like box but quicker growing.

I think you've got it. Quoting from that article...

The species is commonly confused with cotoneaster species. The difference between the two is that cotoneaster has alternate leaves while this species has opposite leaves

Mine definitely has opposite leaves.

Also,

makes an excellent small hedge.

Just what I need.

Many thanks to all who responded.