Evergreen overgrown bushes

[DinaJean]

Have three of these lining the driveway, need PRUNING badly...Does anyone know what they are? They have pretty good size woody trunks. And can I* prune them way down to the ground this fall, dont mind them looking blah for a while, still not living at the property yet, just trying to clean up yard and build house.

[Newt]

Did you ever find out what this is?* It reminds me of privet, but they don't bloom that way.* They have flowers at the tips of the branches.

Newt

[DinaJean]

I posted it at the place you suggested and they think it is boxwood. I had an inkling it was, must do more research.

[Newt]

I actually went outside and looked at my boxwood to see if that could be it. I still wasn't certain.* There are several different varieties of boxwood.* If yours is boxwood, it's probably a larger leafed variety.* Pruning it wherever you like would be ok then.

Newt

[DinaJean]

Did some major pruning and found that this bush has propagated itself by layering. Is that something a boxwood will do?

Here is a closeup of a portion of the trunk.

*

[Newt]

I did a quick google with:
layering boxwood
and saw some posts that say you can layer them, but from the picture I don't see where the stems are in the soil.* Maybe you can take a cutting to a local nursery that has a horticulturist on staff.* I'm thinking you haven't lived on this property for very long.* Have you considered contacting the former owner for help with plant id?

Newt

[DinaJean]

Actually the property was established as a farmland in 1901. The people who owned it then are long gone passed away. It went through a couple owners since and sat for about 4 years before we came along. It was a mess. But alot of these plants are over 100 years old. I'm getting there little by little. I do live fairly close to Clemson, I may see if there is a department there who can be of assistance. Oh yeah, and I will try google. I am a Yahoo person, never really tried the Google thing, but have heard alot of good feedback. Thanks Newt!

[Newt]

How interesting.* Your house's history reminds me of the program 'If Walls Could Talk'.* :)* Pickens county has a local extension service agent who has a website.
http://people.clemson.edu/~bcallah/

The university has a nice extension service site.
http://www.clemson.edu/extension/

I'm sure they could help.* You might have some great treasures there.* Consider joining a local garden club.* Gardeners love to help other gardeners and share what they know.* Many folks become more active in garden clubs after they retire and have more time and often know the older varieties of plants.* They might be able to help you id what you have in your garden and would be a wealth of info on how to care for many of the neglected plantings.

I'll bet your boxwood is very old.* After you told me the history of your house it lead me to search google for heirloom boxwood.* I found this interesting site.
http://www.southernaccents.com/accen...572359,00.html

That got me googling Buxus sempervirens.* I clicked in 'Images' and found these.
http://trees.stanford.edu/images/buxus/buxus.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._foliage_1.jpg

Sure looks like you might have the native Buxus sempervirens, yet look at the flower buds in this pic.
http://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/boga/h...virens.ja8.jpg
http://courses.washington.edu/ehuf33...BUXACEAE.shtml

Newt

[DinaJean]

Wow Newt...so much good info...you are THE GURU! This week when I go into town for errands, I will stop at the extension servce and pick some brains. I have also scoped out all the old lady-gardening-type-neighbors who I will bop in and introduce myself to when I see them in the yard. There are a whole bunch. I will let you know how I make out all over.

*

And yes, I am also convinced I have a Buxus sempervirens.

What is heirloom gardening? Sounds like I fit in that category with the property I have.

[Newt]

You make me blush!* I do enjoy the research though.* Glad I can help.* Stopping and talking to older gardening neighbors would be a great idea.* Some might have been there and known who planted what.*

I wonder if you find surprise lilies this summer.* They are known by other names too and are also passalong plants.* Did you see any strap-like leaves that looked like they should have been daffodils and nothing bloomed?* Now the leaves are gone but you may see these at some point without the leaves.* They are usually found in shady places.
http://www.floridata.com/ref/L/lyco_squ.cfm

Newt