The cotoneaster is found in many gardens, front gardens and is often found on streets. Its value as a ground cover is not to be underestimated. She is considered extremely undemanding. But what other characteristics distinguish them?

A first class groundcover

A richly branched, dense and closed growth results over time. The cotoneaster prefers to be close to the ground. It spreads flat to prostrate. It grows by 10 cm per year. Within a few years, if this plant was planted in groups at the right distance, a carpet-like overall picture emerges.

With this growth, the cotoneaster is ideal for greening slopes and embankments, for beds, as a gap filler in perennial beds and rock gardens and for roadsides. Since she feels at home almost anywhere, even the darkest locations with the worst floors can be enhanced with her.

Easy to care for and frugal

If it grows too sprawling (it likes to propagate via runners), it can be cut back in April. As a rule, it tolerates cutting extremely well.

Other features that distinguish this groundcover plant include:

  • good frost hardiness
  • an evergreen robe of foliage
  • an enormous soil and site tolerance
  • little maintenance required
  • due to the dense growth, it drives away wild herbs

A highlight that other ground covers do not have

In addition to the delicate, white flowers in early summer, the cotoneaster surprises above all with its numerous fruits. They make them an exceptionally decorative groundcover. It sets it apart from other plants and sets striking contrasts.

The spherical fruits develop in late summer and like to remain over the winter. They are berry-like, slightly poisonous and immediately catch the eye with their fiery red to reddish-brown color above the lush green foliage.

tips and tricks

Caution: Cotoneasters are among the plants that are extremely susceptible to fire blight. They are considered the main hosts of this bacterial disease. Therefore, check the plants regularly for an infestation.

KKF

Category:

Vegetable garden