Cotoneaster

Rosaceae

Cotoneaster dielsianus in roter Blattfärbung.

Cotoneaster suecicus Coral Beauty mit Früchten im Sommer.

Our Cotoneaster

A genus comprising only 50 species with many varieties and crosses. The varieties used are all from northern and western China. Although the species vary in size and foliage, they are all similar in flowers, fruits, twig structure and demands. They grow in any garden soil and prefer sunny areas, even though they thrive in the light shade of larger trees.

Variety overview

Deciduous ornamental shrubs

Exceptionally fruiting shrubs

Upright, tall growing evergreens

Evergreen (semi-evergreen) groundcovers

Specifications:

Habit:

Dwarf to large shrubs, main shoots often arching upright, lateral twigs lilting, taking root on contact with the ground.

Flowers:

In umber panicles, buds pinkish, open white flowers, usually plentiful, May-June; pungent scent.

Fruits:

Conspicuous coloured, berrylike, orange-red to lively red, seldom black, from August to December, often eaten by birds before then; tasteless, mealy.

Leaves:

Deciduous, semi- to evergreen; deciduous ones often grey tomentose anderneath; always pretty orange-red or scarlet in autumn.

Demands:

Sun to light shade; deep shade causes them to wither; all are tolerant of heat and like warmth; deciduous ones usually frost hardy; (semi-)evergreen ones moderately frost hardy to sensitive; good for urban areas; not demanding, adaptable.

Soil:

All somewhat nutritious, well drained garden soil; moderately dry to fresh; slightly acidic to very alkaline.

Note:

All Cotoneaster species take well to hard cutting, even topiary.

Choose your Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster acutifolius

3 m

2 m

May to June