Mystery shrub

[DC]

Sometimes the honeydo list pays off----maybe. I was pruning this garden shrub and thought that this might be bow wood. The largest is about about 2". It's very bendy(at least the smaller stems) and seems tension strong. In roughed out form I can't bend it so there is enough wood. I got four staves in varying degrees of reflex. My wife can't remember what it's called but it will come back to her, maybe. Maybe one of you gardeners will beat her to it.

[jamesh76]

No clue what it is. However, really looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

[PatM]

The flowers seem to resemble privet but I've never seen that color.

[Pat B]

Maybe a Weigelia. Google it. Lots of pics

[DC]

Possibly Viburnum bodnantense "Arrowwood".
 It flowers all winter here in Zone 7
Not Weigelia, we've got that too.
Don't think the leaves are quite right for Privet. Possibly though

[Pat B]

I think you are right. It's a new one to me but one I'd be interested in for my yard. Is your's fragrant?
Other viburnums make good arrows, both native and cultivars. I've made arrows from our native viburnum(V.prunifolium). They make good, medium weight arrows but I've fount they check easily if the bark is scraped too soon. 

[DC]

Fragrant? Not really but I only notice really fragrant things, like deciduous azaleas. The small shoots, like 1" or less are like rubber, really. I don't know what they are like when dry. I'll cut a few arrow sized ones tomorrow. I've shellacked the staves and I'll treat them like Ocean Spray. They are in a plastic tube for a few weeks now.

[simson]

 this is viburnum bodnantense for sure, probably variety 'dawn'

All viburnum is good and useable bowwood

[DC]

this is viburnum bodnantense for sure, probably variety 'dawn'

All viburnum is good and useable bowwood

Thanks Simon Is it hard to dry? Does it check easily?

[DC]

I went out too cut some arrows from it and there was only one small enough. We have another in the back yard and i got a couple from it. Now we wait.
Oh, nice fragrance if you stick your nose right in it

[simson]

Is it hard to dry? Does it check easily?

Yep, has tendency to do so (not as much as plum) and some of mine are twisted.
I sealed the ends of course and the body got an oil bath  , harvested mine also in spring when the bark is easily removable.

Arrows: When these shrub trees are cut a few inches above ground, you will get the next year a lot of small little shootings (don't know the right word) with usable diameter. Best thing is you can do that every year ...   

[DC]

Arrows: When these shrub trees are cut a few inches above ground, you will get the next year a lot of small little shootings (don't know the right word) with usable diameter. Best thing is you can do that every year ...   

Don't think my wife would appreciate that