Hymenanthera

Hymenanthera - A small group of shrubs and low trees from New Zealand, only one of which, H. crassifolia, has been introduced. This is a low evergreen with the spreading and freely-branched habit of a Cotoneaster, with small leathery leaves and inconspicuous flowers, followed by small berries covered with tiny black specks. These berries are studded thickly over the ash-grey stems and even on the old main branches, the one fault being that, clustering mainly on the underside, they are not readily seen. The plant seldom exceeds 3 or 4 feet in height, though the branches trail widely, and it is hardier than many New Zealand shrubs, growing in exposed places and without protection in the north of England. Increase by seeds, or cuttings rooted under glass during summer and early autumn.