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I live in London, UK and have had this shrub in my garden since I moved in 2 years ago. It looks like it has been shaped/pruned.

The small bush

Small berries

Two years ago, there were tiny green leaves which turned red in autumn. And the plant sets tiny berries. Last year, the plant didn't have as many leaves (probably 10% of the year before) and there is only 1 berry that I can spot on the plant now.

Red leaves in autumn

Can someone identify the plant for me please? And why it may have a lesser leaf + berry flush?

Prav
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1 Answers1

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Looks like Cotoneaster simonsii or the Himilayan cotoneaster. A member of the rose family it should have small white or pink flowers in the spring and the berries should be hard.

I have a similar one in my garden and they benefit from a good pruning to open up the structure. Good maintenance practices would include:

  • top dress with compost yearly
  • cut out older growth, up to one third a year
  • try to improve access to sun by cutting back other shrubs
  • ensure this is planted in a sunny location
  • in the spring check for aphids, scale and fireblight
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kevinskio
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