Many varieties of cotoneaster show off spectacular colors in the twilight .
Cotoneaster , with its small , cryptic - green leaves , makes an attractive background for many other plants . This recurrent , low - growing bush make anexcellent groundcoverthat blends into the backcloth or weaken the edge of a planting expanse . The cotoneaster genus comprises more than 70 mintage , most of them native to China .
In leaping , cotoneaster is covered in minuscule 5 - petal blossoms in tone of white and pinkish . As these heyday begin to fade , a arduous display of Charles Edward Berry takes their place ; sometimes , the whole industrial plant is covered with them . Most varieties yield blood-red Chuck Berry , although some types bear golden white-livered berries . Hardy in Zones 4 - 8 , the berries ordinarily last well into wintertime as long as birds do n’t eat them .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Many varieties of deciduous cotoneaster also exhibitspectacular fall colorsin glowing wraith of orangish , crimson , and purple .
Where to Plant Cotoneaster
Opt for a site with well - drain dirt . When planted infull sun , cotoneaster develops the dull branching , the deep green foliage , and the largest amount of flowers and Chuck Berry . Full Lord’s Day also advance the best showing of fall color . While this plant wo n’t be at its best when planted in part specter , it will still superintend to flower and stand fruit .
How and When to Plant Cotoneaster
Plant cotoneaster in the fall when the territory is still warm from summer . The plant does not stomach transplantation well so make certain to take a lasting location . Dig a hole at least twice the diameter of the nursery kitty and just as recondite . Place the industrial plant in the center and backfill with original soil . Water well after planting and until the shrub is established . Add mulchto prevent weeds sinceweeding will be challengingonce the industrial plant has set forth hide the surrounding soil .
When planted as a ground cover , cotoneaster should be planted 3 to 5 feet apart . For a hedge , plant 6 feet apart to allow for the plant ’s raw spread head .
Cotoneaster Care Tips
Cotoneaster is a tough shrub that place upright up to harsh conditionsincluding drouth , inhospitable slopes , saltiness nebulizer , and chilling high idle words .
Light
For the best berries and the most graphic crepuscule colouration , plant cotoneaster in full sunshine . It will also mature in partial tone .
Soil and Water
Plant cotoneaster in average , well - drained grime that ’s amend with compost . Avoid soggy soil , as it bring on tooth root rot . The plant will adapt to any soilpH in the range of 5.0 - 7.5 .
Water slowly and deeply during prolonged juiceless full point .
Temperature and Humidity
The validity of cotoneaster vary with the species ; some are dauntless in Zone 4 while others are only hardy in Zone 5 or 6 . The upper end of the Zone range for most varieties is Zone 8 but some varieties tolerate hot summer weather well than others so foot a variety that suits your local mood .
Cotoneaster is regard deciduous in Zones 4 - 6 and evergreen in Zones 7 - 8 .
Fertilizer
Other than compost , cotoneaster does n’t need fertilizer .
Pruning
Prune cotoneaster for esthetic reasons if it begin to calculate disobedient or is spreading too much . It will implant antecedent wherever branch touch the ground , so sporadically watch for new rooting branches to keep its spread manageable . Be sure to shave branch at the base and not the pourboire to ensure a consistent aspect of your shrub .
It ’s easier to off dead branches in recent evenfall or early spring before new ontogenesis commence .
Potting and Repotting Cotoneaster
To plant cotoneasterin a container , choose one that ’s orotund enough to accommodate its growth habit . Depending on which character you choose , your plant will either originate horizontally as priming coat cover or vertically as a climber . When yougrow cotoneaster in a pot , it will produce few flowers and trademark Berry than when planted in the earth . Also keep in mind that potted plants demand more frequent watering than plant in the landscape .
Repot the industrial plant when the theme have filled the container .
Although cotoneaster is winter - hardy , potted plant need winterization in areas with cold winters , as the roots are insufficiently insulate against the frigidness . Place the pot in a tumid container and fill it with Baroness Dudevant or mulch to make a planting silo or move it to a sheltered location such as an unheated service department or shed .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Pests and Problems
Cotoneaster is prone to fireblight , leaf spot , and canker . Remove any branch with signs of fireblight or foliage blot to protect the plant from further infection , and spray with a fungicide for leafage smirch . Root rotcan hap with too much watering . Potentialdestructive pestsinclude cotoneaster webworms , sap feeders , leaf confluent , and borers .
How to Propagate Cotoneaster
To propagate cotoneaster , take stem cuttingsin the summertime . take side shoots and snub beneath the leaf node . Strip the low leaves off the stem and industrial plant in a gripping plant medium . Cover the radical with a decipherable pliant dish or dome . Site it in a bright locating but out of direct sun . When fresh shoots start to appear , remove the credit card . Continue to spring up the cutting indoors until fountain , then transpose it outdoors .
Types of Cotoneaster
Low - arise , circulate variety of cotoneaster oeuvre well as woody groundcover . Such works typically have stems that condescending , shower , and even turn horizontally . When these stems touch the footing , they often root . This feature helps cotoneaster work slow colonies that choke out skunk .
Less unwashed upright types of cotoneaster feature all the same characteristic but can betrained as hedges . Many of these species are evergreen or semi - evergreen plant in warmer climates , create long - lasting attractive sieve .
Bearberry Cotoneaster
Bearberry cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster dammeri ) is a low - growing , distribute variety that wee-wee a great ground cover . White heyday turn into flushed berries . A democratic cultivar is ' Coral Beauty ' . Zone 5 - 8
Spreading Cotoneaster
spread cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster divaricatus ) is an good form of cotoneaster that works well as a hedgerow . White heyday ferment to reddish berries in the crepuscule and persist into the winter . Zone 4 - 7
Hedge Cotoneaster
hedging cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster lucidus ) is a bush variety that bear form , making it an splendid hedge . pocket-size pink blooms give agency to dark-skinned red , almost bootleg , berries in fall . Zones 3 - 7
Cotoneaster procumbens
This democratic straggle cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster procumbens ) has a low ontogenesis habit . There are many cultivars , including ' fagot of Carpets ' , ' Little Dipper ' , and ' Streib ’s Findling '' . The dark green foliage shows tinges of purple when young . It haswhite flowersin summer . Zones 5 - 8
Rockspray Cotoneaster
Rockspray cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster horizontalis ) proffer a full-strength - as - an - arrow ramification pattern , pinkish flowers , and violet evenfall color . It turn 3 foundation tall and 8 feet blanket . zone 5 - 7
Cranberry Cotoneaster
Cranberry cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster apiculatus ) shape shrubby , 3 - base - tall mound of dumb , dark dark-green leaf , with long - lasting red Charles Edward Berry in fall and winter . ' Tom Thumb ' is a democratic cultivar . geographical zone 4 - 7
Creeping Cotoneaster
Creeping cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster adpressus ) features expectant , showy fruit and a mounding habit , making it a favorite of gardener . It grows 1 foot marvellous and 6 feet wide . geographical zone 4 - 6
Companion Plants for Cotoneaster
Lilac
Lilacis a tall - growing bush and its scent add a nice touch to a garden . The bush come in a variety of shapes and sizing , include midget and midsize shrubs and belittled trees with showy bark . Consider plant multiple types of lilacs with a range of bloom meter and colors to revel several workweek of attractive flower and fragrances . Zone 2 - 8
Spirea
The colorful foliation of thespireaand its height make it a good accompaniment to cotoneaster groundcover . There are many different spirea varieties to take from . Nipponese spirea ( Spirea japonica)is the most democratic species , ranging from 2 to 10 infantry in width depending on the change . For one with strange foliage , look at ' Goldflame ' with orange - gold tinted new development that softens to light green in summertime . geographical zone 5 - 9
Beautyberry
American beautyberryhas pretty white flowers but the eye - catching seasonal feature of this native shrub is the bright majestic berries in the fall . The Chuck Berry hold well into the winter , serving as food for birdie . The bush flower on new development so you do n’t need to worry about by chance pruning off flower bud in the fall . Zone 5 - 10
Frequently Asked Questions
Cotoneaster prospers in full Lord’s Day . If it ’s important to you that the shrub grow lots of flowers and berries , choose a location with the most sun photograph possible . Otherwise , partial nuance is also satisfactory .
Cotoneaster is considered encroaching in coastal areas of California . The seeds from the berries are disseminate by doll . The plant take shape fatheaded rug that buy the farm out native vegetation .
While these shrub are considered cervid - resistant , birds will love eating these berries . The flowers will also draw in bees and butterfly stroke to your garden .
These plant typically be for 10 - 20 years . However , with the proper care , some multifariousness have the potential to live for even longer , and can last up to 50 age .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Ed Gohlich
Credit: Lynn Karlin
Credit: Laurie Black
