Cotoneaster dammeri is a classic, no-nonsense evergreen ground cover that keeps its colour and shape through the year. In spring and summer it produces small white flowers, and later on it develops berries that add another layer of interest and help wildlife along.

Cotoneaster dammeri spreads to form a low, dense carpet, making it ideal for banks, underplanting, or edging where you want quick, tidy coverage. It’s a very hardy, very compact plant once established, and it’s often used as a low-maintenance way to suppress weeds around taller shrubs. It looks good with spring bulbs, alongside gravel paths, or spilling over a low wall.

Plant it in sun or semi shade in chalky, clay, loamy or sandy soil, and it copes well across acidic to alkaline conditions. It’s tough enough for exposed spots, but it’s equally happy in more sheltered corners. If it starts to wander, just trim it back after flowering to keep the outline neat and under control.