They are all similar in terms of gross characteristics. But they all differ in terms of their growth and foliage. Get an overview of the medlar species that are suitable as ground cover.

The cotoneaster - the ultimate groundcover

The cotoneaster or Cotoneaster dammeri is extremely popular as a ground cover for enclosing slopes, embankments, flower beds and graves. It is hardy and versatile, with the 'Coral Beauty' variety standing out. It grows up to 60 cm high, is evergreen and lights up with its coral-red fruits from late summer.

Medlar: An evergreen lawn substitute

It bears the botanical title Cotoneaster dammeri var. radicans and, due to its carpet-like growth, can be used as a colorful lawn substitute and for greening slopes, flower beds and roadsides. This is how it grows:

  • flat creeping
  • compact
  • Growth height: up to 15 cm
  • Growth width: 50 to 70 cm
  • Growth rate: 5 to 15 cm per year

Thanks to the dense growth, weeds are deprived of their livelihood and regular weeding and plucking is spared. In order to maintain dense growth across the board, between six and eight plants per square meter should be planted.

The cushion medlar: bright red in autumn

The cushion medlar is also suitable as a ground cover. It has deciduous foliage and produces few fruits compared to other medlar species. Their growth is prostrate. Their advantage: their bright wine-red autumn leaves.

The fan medlar: with herringbone-like shoots

Cotoneaster horizontalis, the fan-shaped medlar, has a characteristic, fan-like spread habit. Its shoots are herringbone-like, well-branched and lying flat on the ground. The foliage is summer green and turns orange-red in autumn. This specimen produces an enormous number of reddish fruits and can also be used as a low hedge due to its growth height of up to 1 m.

The creeping medlar: extremely slow

Cotoneaster procumbens:

  • spreads out lying on the ground
  • reaches an average height of 15 cm
  • grows extremely slowly
  • has evergreen foliage
  • produces a large number of decorative fruits

tips and tricks

All of the ground covers mentioned tolerate a radical cut. They will sprout again willingly if the deciduous specimens are cut in winter and the evergreen specimens in spring.

Category:

Vegetable garden