SafePlants

Cotoneaster: A Versatile Shrub for Gardens and Wildlife

The Cotoneaster genus encompasses a diverse range of shrubs, offering a variety of ornamental features and ecological benefits. From ground-hugging varieties to larger shrubs, these plants are adaptable to different garden settings.

Several specific Cotoneaster species and cultivars are mentioned in the text, including:

• Cotoneaster franchetii Boiss. (Orange Cotoneaster, Orangeleaf Cotoneaster, Franchet's Cotoneaster)
• Cotoneaster horizontalis (Wall Cotoneaster, Herringbone Cotoneaster)
• Cotoneaster simonsii (Himalayan Cotoneaster)
• Cotoneaster lacteus W.W. Smith (Parney's Cotoneaster)
• Cotoneaster pannosus Franch. (Silverleaf Cotoneaster)
• Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty'

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
• Synonyms:
  • For Cotoneaster franchetii: C. franchetii var. sternianus
  • Cotoneaster nitidus var. duthieanus (possibly a synonym for another mentioned species but relation isn't clear)

Distribution and Habitat

• Many Cotoneaster species are not native to certain regions, including Britain, where over 70 species have naturalized.
• One source mentions Cordyline australis (although this is not a Cotoneaster) found in northwest and central west regions of California.
• Cotoneaster is native to Holland, where some varieties are grown commercially.

Ecological Role

• Some Cotoneaster species, such as Cotoneaster franchetii, are listed as "Invasive Species Most Unwanted" in some regions.
• The bright red or orange berries of Cotoneaster provide a food source for birds, especially during the winter months.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• General: Cotoneasters are typically shrubs or subshrubs, ranging in size and growth habit depending on the species.
• Leaves: Leaves are generally small, glossy, and dark green, with some species exhibiting orange-red foliage in the fall. Leaves are often alternate and not serrated.
• Flowers: Small white flowers appear in the spring or summer.
• Fruit: The fruit is a small pome, typically 5-12 mm in diameter, and can be pink, bright red, orange, maroon, or even black when mature. Fruits contain one to three seeds.
• Branches: Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) has stiff branches. Some species have arching branches.
• Hardiness: Some species, such as one unnamed in Zone 3, are quite hardy.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that the fruit is a small pome that can be various colors when mature.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that the fruit is a small pome that can be various colors when mature.

Quirky Facts

• Cotoneaster horizontalis has a "herringbone pattern" making it suitable to be grown against a wall.
• In the U.K., Pyracantha and Cotoneaster are considered competitors in the garden, one in the orange corner and one in the red corner.

Further Information

• USDA PLANTS Database