By Kc08
United Kingdom
We have this shrub/bush next to our front door, and the last few weeks it's been covered with blue bottles, in all the leaves etc., so when you walk past, they just buzz right around you - it's horrible!
Any ideas what plant it is/what can I do to get rid of them?
- 31 Jul, 2017
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shrubs
Answers
It's a Euonymus, and I think its Euonymus japonica aureus, rather than Euonymus fortunei Emerald'n Gold. Check the backs of leaves, stems and tops of leaves carefully - lots of flies hanging around might mean you have a Euonymus scale infestation, see link below, you'll need to copy and paste into your browser
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=798
If its not that, just make sure nothing's crawled in there and died. Otherwise, trim the bush over to get rid of the flowers - flies rather like them!
31 Jul, 2017
I've read that it is one of those plants where flies do the pollination so that's why they like the flowers. It is also said to be used as a winter nesting site for black bean aphids presumably providing food for the flies before the flowers appear.
If those are both true than it's probably not the best choice for right next to the front door.
31 Jul, 2017
Thank you for your responses - Bamboo that's exactly what the issue is, looked at the leaves and it's definitely the infection described. Going to get some spray to sort that ASAP - thank you very much.
It's by our front door but it's not our bush or land, it's our neighbours. So the spray will be fine as can be discretely done!
31 Jul, 2017
It usually is the cause! As for being discreet, your neighbours should just be grateful you're treating the plant - it can cause a fair amount of decimation over time if left untreated.
31 Jul, 2017
Some years ago I grew Euonymus Silver Queen up the bungalow wall and had the same problem with bluebottles. The bigger it grew the more flies we had until I couldn't stand any more. I dug it out and the flies buzzed off somewhere else. Spraying hadn't helped.
3 Aug, 2017
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Looks like on one the variegated Euonymus. It is the yellow of the leaves which the flies like. We find that all our yellow flowers are attractive to them.
31 Jul, 2017