Cotoneaster dammeri bearberry cotoneaster

Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Lowfast’ and C. horizontalis, Lasuen Mall John Rawlings, 11 Jan 2005

Shrub, spreading, to little more than one-foot tall, C. dammeri ‘Lowfast’ has bright, glossy green, elliptical, alternate, simple ¾ to 1½ long leaves; solitary, profuse, white to pinkish flowers in spring producing bright red ¼-inch diameter berries. This attractive groundcover has been widely planted in recent years. In October 2006 it replaced Arctostaphylos ‘Pacific Mist’ in the planting strip along Palm Drive.

The taller, winter deciduous C. horizontalis is inter-planted with C. dammeri along Lasuen Mall near History Corner. C. horizontalis is particularly apparent when leafless, though both will still be bearing red berries.

Illustrations: detail of both species together, 11 Jan 2005.

Name derivation: Cotoneaster – From L. cotoneum (quince) and -aster (resembling somewhat) from the similarity of the leaves of some species; dammeri – after C. Dammer; horizontalis – horizontal (the habit).