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
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.
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.