Red berries between dark green, bright leaves – the carpet medlar (Cotoneaster dammeri) is one of the most decorative ground covers in domestic gardens. The plant, which hobby gardeners like to use as a lawn substitute, grows very densely and prevents uncontrolled growth of weeds. Both the cup-like flowers, which are pure white in color, and the dark red berries show decorative elements well into spring. Particularly robust and undemanding, the ground-covering plant is suitable for every hobby gardener; no special knowledge is required for maintenance. But when cultivating the plant, special caution is required: the carpet medlar is susceptible to fire blight, a dangerous bacterial disease.
Table of Contents
location
The carpet medlar, which is also called “creeping medlar” and belongs to the dwarf medlar family, feels at home in numerous locations in the garden and also thrives in areas where there is otherwise only sparse plant growth. However, the plant feels particularly comfortable in a sunny location; the more light and heat is available for the creeping medlar to grow, the stronger both the fruit and the leaves develop. But in addition to the sunny areas in the garden, shady locations are also tolerated; in this case, however, limited flower development must be expected.
Different areas in the garden come into question as the optimal location; on slopes and embankments, the plant can be planted, for example, in conjunction with ivy and Ysander; In the rock garden, the creeping medlar looks particularly decorative between stonecrop and summer phlox. In addition, the plant can also be settled on wall crowns and under light trees. As a ground cover , the carpet medlar is also suitable for particularly difficult locations. Last but not least, the medlar thrives in planters.
When planting, the expansion of the plant should be taken into account; the plant reaches a height of about 30cm and can stretch up to 150cm. In addition to the general information that can be given about the ideal location for the carpet medlar, the assessment of all plants that result from the chosen location as direct neighbors plays a particularly important role. For example, the crop should never be planted next to fruit trees; the carpet medlar is susceptible to fire blight, an incurable plant disease. The disease can be transmitted to fruit trees by being in the immediate vicinity of fruit trees.
floor
With regard to the soil conditions, the creeping medlar is quite robust. Nevertheless, it has proven useful to select a suitable substrate for targeted cultivation. The chosen soil should have certain characteristics:
- fumes
- rich in nutrients
- well drained
- fresh and moisturizing
- aerating
Overall, care should be taken that the soil is not too dry. Otherwise, in most cases, conventional garden soil is suitable for successful cultivation. However, even if the soil conditions are not optimal, the medlar can thrive; the plant can even grow on poor and calcareous soil.
watering and fertilizing
The carpet medlar is considered to be very robust and can be cultivated with very little maintenance. However, the plant does not endure prolonged periods of drought; Therefore, additional watering is particularly useful during the summer months when hot and dry temperatures prevail for days. However, it should only be watered moderately and the water portions should be kept rather small overall. In order for the carpet medlar to grow particularly luxuriantly, the addition of a fertilizer has also proven itself. Spring is the best time to supply nutrients; then the growth of the plant is much faster. However, the targeted fertilization should only be started from the second year of life of the carpet medlar; in the first year, the nutrient supply in the substrate is completely sufficient,
No matter where the carpet medlar is placed – weeds usually have no chance to spread there. However, the plant can only fulfill its function as a ground cover if an unvegetated substrate is found in the first years of life. For this reason, the targeted and regular weeding of the weeds that have formed between the young plants plays a major role, especially within the first three years of the creeping medlar. If the plant has grown densely over the ground after this time, the area is well protected against the development of weeds.
To cut
Especially if the carpet medlar is to be used as a lawn substitute, the development of a very strong branching is an advantage. To ensure that the plant develops a particularly large number of branches, it has proven useful to regularly carry out a targeted cut. Summer is best for this measure; between May and August the tips of the branches should be cut off 2 to 3 times. The cut stimulates the growth of the shoot tips, so that a particularly dense branching can develop. However, the optimal cutting dates should be strictly adhered to; if the shrub is trimmed in September, shoots will develop that are particularly sensitive to frost.
In addition to the targeted pruning of the ground cover for improved growth, a radical pruning is also possible. The evergreen carpet medlar is cut back in early spring to optimally promote the growth of fruit and the formation of flowers.
propagation and planting
The propagation of the creeping medlar can be done using different methods:
- Propagation via seeds, offshoots or cuttings
Especially often this species of medlar is propagated with the help of cuttings. It is obtained via mature shoots; these can be cut off the evergreen plant in late summer. The cutting should be about eight centimeters in size. If there are still leaves on the underside of the cutting, these should be removed. A rooting powder can speed up the formation of small roots. With the originally basal part down, the shoots can then be put into the ground. After plugging in, at least one eye should look out of the ground. The shoots thrive particularly well if attention is paid to high humidity. This condition can be achieved by putting a plastic bag over the cutting.
Pure species can also be propagated by seeds. The seeds of the carpet medlar, which belong to the cold germs, are sown in potting soil in November, if necessary also in late winter. The planter is then placed in a warm room and kept moist until the seeds swell. Then the pots can be sunk into the ground outdoors. A sheltered spot is best. Only in February or March is the planter brought back to a warm, bright place in the house or to the cold frame. There the cotyledons develop so that new plants can grow.
Alternatively, it can be propagated by offshoots, which are best obtained in late autumn. However, with this propagation method, a period of up to 12 months must be planned for the plant to grow.
Carpet medlars are best planted in mid-autumn or towards winter. If the plant is to be used extensively and serve as ground cover, quite dense planting is suitable; Five to six specimens per square meter are placed in the prepared substrate. Regular watering is important during cultivation.
hibernate
Additional protection against frost has proven itself so that carpet medlars can optimally overwinter. In this context, for example, special plant fleeces can be used to cover the plant. A layer of needle brush helps against frost; offering the cut branches, in a close arrangementdesigned, ideal protection against the cold. At the same time, the needles are permeable to air. Spruce twigs are particularly suitable as an insulator, as they gradually lose their needles by spring, allowing more light and air to penetrate the plants at the right time. Alternatively, bark mulch can also be used for winter storage. However, this winter protection contains growth-inhibiting substances that can have an unfavorable effect on young plants.
pests and diseases
Fire blight, a disease caused by bacteria, is particularly dangerous and widespread among medlars. An infestation can be easily identified based on the characteristic symptoms:
- Discolored flowers and leaves (brown in spring, later black)
- Discoloration on the shoots
- curvature of the tip of the shoot
- rapid wilting of the entire plant
- Leakage of mucous droplets from cracks and wounds
To date, this disease cannot be treated with chemical agents. Varieties with low susceptibility can be selected as a preventive measure. In addition, special cleanliness is to be ensured when cutting the carpet medlar; this applies in particular to the cutting tools, which should be disinfected with alcohol after each cut. In the event of an infestation, it should also be remembered that the disease is notifiable.
The aphid presents itself as a classic pest to which the carpet medlar is susceptible. An infestation can be recognized, for example, by various leaf changes.These include curled and curled leaf edges. Some leaf areas may also be blistered. Also dying and deformed shoots are typical as a result of the infestation. The pests themselves are easily recognizable on the undersides of the leaves, where they are tightly packed. Adequate irrigation during dry periods has proven to be a preventative measure. The use of attracting plants, such as nasturtiums, can also be worthwhile. In the case of an acute infestation, the leaves can be treated with a powerful jet of water. Sprays with tansy tea, nettle extract and soap solution have also often proven to be helpful.
In connection with the infestation of aphids or scale insects, black deposits can often also be found on the leaves. This is the sooty mold formed by fungi, which prefer to settle on the honeydew of lice. The pads do not directly develop a damaging effect; however, the photosynthesis of the leaves is impaired by the black deposits
