Need a ground cover? A shrubby hedge? A small tree? There is a variety of cotoneaster (pronounced co-TO-ne-as-ter) that fits whatever your requirements.
Cotoneasters are members of the rose family and are native to China. Some varieties may be evergreen in warmer climates, but they are deciduous in Wisconsin. Most of them have tiny white to pink flowers in late spring followed by red to black berries that look like baby apples and are properly called pomes, just like apples. The berries persist all winter and look like a pretty Christmas decoration when snow covers the branches. Birds will eat the berries in spring when they have few other choices.
Cotoneaster’s leaves are small, waxy and dark green and grow along the stems. In fall, the leaves turn a spectacular dark orange or deep red. The branches have an arching habit, whether the variety is a ground cover, shrub or tree. The shrubs have a look similar to bridal wreath with flowers all along the stems. When the flowers turn to berries and the leaves turn their fall colors, the branches are striking additions to fall floral arrangements.
Cotoneaster grows well in any soil and does very well in the poorest soils. Full sun is best. Afternoon shade is okay, but there may not be quite as many flowers and berries. It needs regular watering while becoming established but after that is very drought tolerant, needing no extra water.
The ground cover varieties grow from only a few inches to a foot high and the shrub/tree varieties grow up to twelve feet tall. The taller varieties can be kept in bounds if necessary by pruning in winter or early spring. If given plenty of space to grow and allowed to develop naturally, little pruning is needed. The ground covers might occasionally need a dead branch or an awkward upright branch pruned out.
Cotoneaster lucidus is called hedge cotoneaster and makes a nice full formal hedge that can be pruned to any height from three to ten feet. It is frequently grown on college campuses throughout the Midwest. When Cotoneaster multiflorus is in bloom, it looks like a frothy white fountain. Unfortunately the flowers don’t smell as pretty as they look so the shrub should be planted away from high traffic areas. This one grows 8-12 feet high and 12-15 feet wide. It is good for massing or large-area use. There are some cute little cotoneaster ground cover varieties suitable for rock gardens. One of them is Cotoneaster horizontalis ‘Tom Thumb.’
You won’t find a cotoneaster sold as a tree form. You would have to buy one of the taller shrub varieties and keep it pruned to only one stem.
There are at least 13 cotoneaster varieties. The best advice is to find out what is available at the nursery or through mail order and read the accompanying description to see if it will fit your requirements.
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