Cotoneaster franchetii

Description:

Cotoneaster franchetii is a really useful, semi-evergreen shrub when you want something that looks tidy for most of the year and quietly helps wildlife along. In a sunny border or on a bank, it gives you small white flowers in summer, followed by berries that add interest into the cooler months.

Cotoneaster franchetii has a very compact, arching habit with a slightly weeping feel, so its excellent as a ground cover plant or as a low, informal filler around taller shrubs. Its a good choice for low-maintenance planting where you want coverage rather than height, and it sits nicely with grasses, spring bulbs, or under larger shrubs as a living mulch. As an ornamental shrub, its one of those plants that makes a space look finished quickly.

Grow it in sun or semi shade in almost any soilchalk, clay, loam or sandand its happy across acidic, neutral or alkaline conditions. Its very hardy and copes well in both exposed and sheltered positions, as long as the ground isnt waterlogged. If it spreads a bit too far, simply trim it back after flowering to keep it neat.