Cotoneaster horizontalis

Native to Western China, this plant is used excessively in the UK as ornamental planting in any public places and car parks. Its leaves are small dark green and waxy, the sheer density of the plants leaves creates a dark green waxy appearance all over. This plant can is used as a single ornamental species but can also be used as a hedge. It grows around 1m tall and spreads to around 1.5m if left unmanaged. It tends to spread very evenly.

This shrub produces an abundance of red berries, these are harmful to humans but many bird species feed from the plant. Berries occur in autumn and persist into winter. Its flowers appear in summer and can range from pink to white.

I have photographed two different specimens of the shrub, one being used as a neatly trimmed hedge, the other spreading more freely clinging to a building. This shows the versatility of the species and how it can be and has often been used in a number of different ways.