Cotoneaster dammeri Miranda

Cotoneaster dammeri 'Miranda' is a variety of Cotoneaster which is more vigorous than the species, with wider foliage and longer, trailing branches. This spreading shrub is an excellent ground cover, evergreen and robust. Ideal for covering large areas with its dense foliage that limits the growth of weeds on slopes, wall edges, or at the base of larger shrubs in borders or rockeries. In June, it is covered in small white flowers with pink markings that develop into round, red berries. This shrub is easy to grow and thrives even in shade and in poor soils, dry during summer.

Cotoneaster dammeri belongs to the large family of Rosaceae and is native to central and western China. This very vigorous shrub can withstand pronounced droughts as well as harsh winters, even when growing in poor, rocky soil. The cultivar 'Miranda' has a spreading and trailing habit, supported by long, curved and flexible, dense, reddish-brown branches. Its growth is very rapid, reaching a height of approximately 30 cm (11.8 in) with a spread of 2 m (6 ft 7 in) or more as its branches naturally layer themselves. Its evergreen foliage is composed of thick and leathery, oval leaves, larger and wider than those of the species, very dark green and glossy. Very small flowers with 5 white petals marked with pink appear in June. This flowering, which is attractive to bees, gives way to fleshy, bright red fruits measuring 5 to 7 mm (0.2 to 0.3 in) in diameter and appreciated by birds.

Cotoneaster dammeri 'Miranda' is ideal for covering large, challenging areas of the garden, bringing a very neat touch. While it can grow in almost any conditions, it will be more fruitful in the sun and will develop faster in fertile, moist soil. Perfect at the base of a tall hedge or in a shaded and bare corner of the garden, for example under a large tree, it can also be planted in a rockery to fill the spaces between other plants. Plant it on a large slope, above a wall or retaining wall, along a terrace or pathway. It can be combined, for example, with Blue Star creeping juniper, Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety, and Forsythia intermedia Marée d'or to add some colour.