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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cotoneaster Parneyi / Lacteus My Favorite Plant...This Week

Plants that produce ornamental berries, especially if they last through winter,  make me go a little weak in the knees so when I saw these big clusters of red berries flirting with me from a table at Willow Tree Gardens on a recent visit, I had to get closer to investigate.


Do you believe in love at first sight?  Evergreen leaves, berries that persist through winter, white flowers in summer...I was smitten.  No it's not planted yet but is looking lovely in a pot plunked in a  bare spot in a bed.
Native to China and Northern India. An evergreen, arching shrub ideal for hedging. Leaves are dark green above, whitish-green beneath, simple, alternate, elliptic-ovate to oblong-ovate, 1" to 1 1/2" long, 1/4" to 3/4" wide. Foliage turns a dark purple-red in winter. White flowers mid to late summer, followed by red berries which persist throughout the winter. Fast growth rate.

Flower:  White, in clusters 2" to 3" across
Mature Size:  8'x10'      
Water: Low to moderate
Low to moderate
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness:  Some sources say zone 8b others say zone 7
 
From San Marcos Growers:  The name for the genus is derived from the Latin words 'cotone', an old name for the quince plant, and the suffix 'aster' which means "resembling" in reference to this plant looking like a quince. This shrub that has long been used as a large screening plant. Unfortunately it will occasionally reseed and naturalize and is considered to be a weedy species in central and north coast California.
 
I'm joining Loree at Danger Garden in her favorite plant this week meme.
 
 
                          

16 comments:

  1. Isn't it always nice to discover lovely plants like that during nursery visit? Looks like like an all seasons great performer sort of plant!

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  2. Looks like you found yourself a winner! Love the tinge of purple on the foliage.

    (and what's this about a bare spot???)

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    1. Well, the leaves on the taller stuff that takes up the spot have fallen for the season so there's a little space that can have a pot on it for the winter.

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  3. Must Have More Berries! I hope I can remember that when springtime plant sales roll around. The dangling clusters are way cool, and are those leaves as furry as they seem?

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    1. The undersides of the leaves are furrier than the tops. Very sweet and will look great in your garden!

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  4. That looks very much like a plant I see on my walks in the park. /this time of year it is loaded with red berries. Lovely.

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    1. It's probably the same. Since I bought it, I've noticed this plant in several street side, parking lot sorts of public plantings.

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  5. Such a bright and happy-looking plant! It's the perfect thing for this time of year!

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  6. I'm surprised you had a bare spot to plunk it into :-)
    I covet a cotoneaster every year around this time, when they flaunt their amazing bright berries.

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    1. Oh, don't be silly, it's only bare because the plants in that spot have lost their leaves. The pot can sit there for a while where I can admire the berries from my kitchen window. Don't know where it'll go once sprig rolls around.

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  7. Gorgeous, I love those berries! So sad I can't grow it!

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    1. Sorry Jason. Have you ever considered moving to the Pacific Northwest?

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  8. I use berries from this plant to decorate every Christmas, because many bushes of them grow on the bike paths along the creek near my house. I always forget the name of the shrub, though, and I happened upon your blog searching through images to find the name. I hope you are enjoying your berries about now!

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    1. Thanks for commenting Gretchen! I finally planted this shrub and it's produced berries again. Hooray!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.