Summer is fast becoming a fading memory as autumn steadily settles into its rhythm and seduces us with its own particular attractions. A prostrate evergreen with white flowers and bright red berries, it has put its roots down in Ireland with alarming success. Growing to 4 m (13 ft) tall, this evergreen native to the Yunnan Province of China has arching, free-flowing, branches. Its masses of small persistent fruit are preceded by a corresponding display of the (milk) white flowers from which the plant’s name is derived. Again with white flowers and red berries, it will grow less than one foot in height, but will cover an area of up to four square metres.