Cotoneaster: How to grow cotoneaster, plus the best varieties

By Daniel Griffiths

Published: Wednesday, 05 October 2022 at 12:00 am

Cotoneasters offer many of the qualities I look for in a garden plant: they are reliable, have more than one season of interest (flowers in late spring and summer, often evergreen foliage and berries in autumn and winter) and can cope with the extremes of weather. They are wildlife friendly, offering shelter to birds and insects, as well as nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators, and food for wild birds in autumn and winter. Though they may be sometimes overlooked, they are worth seeking out.

With 400 species to choose from, there is a cotoneaster for every garden.

Cotoneasters that have a low growing, prostrate habit, especially Cotoneaster dammeri, Cotoneaster salicifolius and Cotoneaster x suecicus, are valuable evergreen ground cover shrubs that thrive in sun or shade. They are excellent on banks and slopes, embracing the contours gracefully where more upright subjects look awkward.

At the other end of the scale, the large-growing cotoneasters make excellent trees. Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ is one of the finest with broad, spreading branches and dark-green leaves. In spring it offers loose clusters of white flowers and is a magnificent sight in autumn when some of its semi-evergreen leaves turn gold and begin to fall, and large bunches of deep-scarlet berries provide a feast for wild birds. Large cotoneasters, such as Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ and Cotoneaster x watereri, are also perfect for screening or as large, background shrubs in wide borders. They can also be trained as medium-sized evergreen trees.

Cotoneasters are also good plants to consider in our unpredictable climate. In my own garden, Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Gnom’ and Cotoneaster procumbens ‘Queen of Carpets’ have coped with the tough growing conditions experienced in recent years – both in terms of temperature and rainfall extremes. Their evergreen foliage looks good throughout the year and the colourful berries last well into winter.

Where to plant cotoneaster

Cotoneasters are easy to grow: they are tolerant of most soils including clay, as long as it is not waterlogged, and will also grow well in dry conditions on chalk and sand. They are also ideal for new-build gardens with poor soil, where other plants might struggle.

They will thrive in sun or shade, although flowering and fruiting is usually better when a plant gets three or more hours of direct sunlight a day during the growing season. In a smaller garden, plants that tolerate the shade and rain shadow of walls and fences are particularly valuable. Several, including Cotoneaster franchetii, Cotoneaster x watereri and Cotoneaster frigidus, can be trained against walls for colour.

Caring for cotoneaster

Cotoneasters are undemanding when it comes to feeding and care. Cotoneasters do not need regular pruning, unless you want to control their shape and size. Ideally, this is best done in late winter or early spring. However, pruning can be done at any time of the year without causing harm.

How to plant cotoneaster

Most cotoneasters grow swiftly and soon make an impact, so choose smaller plants in two- or three-litre pots. Even if your aim is to create a hedge, you are better off with several small plants.

 

Best cotoneaster to grow

1

Cotoneaster horizontalis

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A good groundcover plant for slopes and banks, or to grow against low walls. Small, dark-green leaves turn flame red in autumn. Profuse white spring flowers develop into sealing- wax red berries in autumn. 90cm. RHS H7, USDA 5a-7b†.