PLANT OF THE WEEK

COTONEASTER LACTEUS

LATE COTONEASTER

I SPOTTED this tree in a front garden this week looking really splendid.

It’s evergreen – the leaves are large, leathery and dark green with a grey furry underside. The plentiful white flowers in summer are followed by copious clusters of scarlet fruit – they ripen late and so last on the tree up until and sometimes beyond Christmas. It can be grown as a large shrub, hedge or small specimen tree with its graceful arching branches.

Grow in sun or partial shade in average well-drained soil, but it’s tolerant of most aspects and soils.