Cleyera, Mums, and Cotoneaster Splendid Colorful Plants

The Cleyera is a wonderful good size shrub. Combine with Cotoneaster and Mums will make a sea of vibrant color in a landscape garden. I love seeing these three plant specimens in one specific area. Each of the group of plants have their own unique characteristics. Their different textures and color tones bring a new dimension to any garden bed. Lets take a closer look at each plant specimen and see the how one can compliment the other.



The evergreen Cleyera is best known for its shiny leaves and change in color from springtime through winter. In spring new growth appears and bronze tones glisten in the sunlight. Summer brings a deep green color with a tint of black. Autumn turns the branches into profound oranges and reds. The colder winter months changes the branches to burgundy. I love to add this plant specimen to a design near a fence or on the corner along the front of a house. A great back drop for this shrub species is some Leyland Cypress, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Cedar, or Spruce.

It is limited in growing in certain zones and the best climate areas are zones seven through nine. If zone seven has harsh prolonged cold snap, the leaves and branches could be damaged. It will mature eight to ten feet high and five to six feet wide. Does well in partial shade or full sun. Pruning should be done in the fall season. Take a look at the Loropetalum page as the Cleyera should be trimmed the same way. White flowers appear in late spring but many times you can't seem them due to the thick foliage. Small fruit appear in the fall and there are tiny red seeds inside.

A lot of designers consider this specimen as an accent plant. Sometimes I like to make it a focal point and to accent it with Cotoneasters and mums.

Cotoneasters can create a different look in any garden. There is the shrub form that makes a wonderful accent. The more sprawling forms work wonderful on a fence, slope, or ground cover. I love to see them placed behind rock formations as their leggy branches will naturally flow over the rocks. The Cotoneaster does well in zones four through eight. Depending on the variety, they can grow one to ten feet high and three to six feet wide.



The Cotoneaster will thrive in full sun and can take a little shade. It can be either deciduous or evergreen. What struck me when we took the picture above of the Cotoneaster, the berries aren't actually a cranberry color. A lot of this could be the results from weather conditions. The drought conditions over the past few years in our region over obviously contributed to the different color.

This particular plant specimen can be put in a topiary form and makes a delightful centerpiece in a formal garden. In spring the leaves become a bright green color. When the warmth of the summer arrives, beautiful red and pink tone small flowers cover the plant. The autumn season is when the Cotoneaster takes shape and spectacular orange - red berries emerge all over the plant. I have done designs where the Cleyera will be put in a series of three or five staggered across and then the Cotoneaster will submerge around them. In front of these two plants put different color mums and your garden will produce color year around.

The mum is short for Chrysanthemum. This flower family has some of the most intense colors, especially in the fall. There are many different varieties and a wide range of growing zones. The hardy Mums do well in colder regions and make a good seasonal flower for any garden. In warmer climates the Mums tend to be short lived. Due to prolonged heat the blooms will take longer to open.

Up north once the colder temperatures set in remove the plants from the ground and put them in pots. You can protect them by bringing them to a sheltered area. Their growth will begin right after the last frost and the warming of the ground. Once the plant gets ten to twelve inches high, prune back anywhere from five to six inches. This will help promote the next round of blossoms. Depending on the variety, this can be done anywhere from the beginning of July through the beginning of August.

The yellow and deep orange mums look striking with the Cleyera and Cotoneaster on a slope or bank. Another option for A berm is to think about adding these three plants. Arrange the Cleyera along the back in either a staggered or straight row. Add some Cotoneaster throughout the berm and do a mass planting with different color mums. Of course in warmer climates, longer lasting annual or perennial flowers can be planted with the mums.



If the Cleyera doesn't grow in your neck of the woods, consider doing a solid evergreen back drop. The solid green color with the unique Cotoneaster and Mums, will create a enticing look in any landscape area. I hope this has given you a few more options when deciding on what to plant in your gardens or landscape beds.