Cotoneaster microphyllus
| Cotoneaster microphyllus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cotoneaster microphyllus
Propagation: Seed. Members of this genus hybridize freely so, if you require seed that breeds true, it is important to obtain it from a known wild source or from a controlled fertilization of garden plants. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it will usually germinate in the spring[1][2]. Stored seed germinates faster if given 3 months warm stratification at 15°c and then 3 months cold stratification at 4°c[3]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15°c but it can take 2 years[3]. Pot the seedlings up as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into nursery beds or into their permanent positions when they are more than 10cm tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[1][2].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils[4][1][2]. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils[4]. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged[1][2]. Succeeds in dry soils[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position[1][2]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[2].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[6][2].
A very ornamental plant[4], there are some named forms[7]. Most forms are quite slow-growing[2][7]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2] and often self-sows in British gardens[8].
A low-growing plant, the branches often root when they come into contact with the soil[8].
The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish[9]. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds[2].
Plants are notably susceptible to honey fungus[2].
Range: E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat: Trailing on rocks or spreading on grassy hillsides, 1200 - 5400 metres[10]. Rocky slopes, rocky mountain areas, thickets and river valleysat elevations of 2000 - 4200 metres[11].
Edibility: Fruit - raw[12]. It is sweet when fully ripe[10]. A watery flavour[12]. It is possibly edible[13]. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter[2].
Medicinal: The stolons are said to be astringent[14].
Usage: A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit.
The leaves are used for incense[12].
The plant has an extensive root system and a creeping habit above ground. It makes a good soil binder[12].
The sub-species C. microphyllus cochleatus can be used as a ground cover plant in a sunny position[5][15]. It forms a dense carpet of growth[15].
The branches are used for making baskets[16][10][12].
Wood - hard, close and even grained[16][10]. Used for fuel[12].
Pollinators: Flies, midges
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Grey-Wilson, Christopher and Victoria Matthews. Gardening on Walls. Collins, 1983.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.