With pretty springiness flush , beautiful verdure , fantastic drop colors , and bright red berries , cotoneaster is an easy and reliable performer with great versatility .
unlike mintage provide varying architectural forms , pee-pee these shrubs wonderfully adaptable throughout the garden and landscape .
Creeping and prostrate type are low - growing and are typically used as ground covers .

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They also make dramatic additions spilling over the side of containers and retaining wall , creep in rockeries , pare into fanciful topiary , stabilizing bank and slopes , and inxeriscapes .
The upright species typically have elegant , arch branches and create liberal exhibit when either tightly trim back into formal hedge or left freeform as loose hedge .

Easily trained , upright types are also popular espaliered to fences and wall , trellised as privacy screen , standardize into minuscule trees , and grow in single or multiple rows as farm windbreaks .
The flowers and berries attractbeesandbirds , but cervid andrabbitsstay away from these shrubs . They ’re also salt resistant , making them a good selection for seaside garden .
And once they are set up , these plants are drought resistive and self - root word readily , forming great , attractive colonies .

These shrub may be evergreen or deciduous , depending on the coinage , and some are semi - evergreen . Semi - evergreen type will stay evergreen in fond locations , and drop their leaves in nerveless growing zona .
In ourguide to maturate cotoneaster , you ’ll get wind that they ’re very loose to care for – a little spring pruning for human body if needed , and that ’s about it for criminal maintenance !
Sound like a plant - and - forget shrub your garden needs ?

Then unite us now for a look at 21 of the adept cotoneaster varieties for ground covers , hedging , and more !
Here they are :
21 of the Best Cotoneaster Varieties for Your Garden
It should be noted that some species have escaped garden refinement and are consider trespassing in certain coastal areas in North America such as British Columbia , California , the Great Lakes state , Hawaii , and the Pacific Northwest , as well as in parts of Australia , New Zealand , and western Europe .
You may care to check with your local reference government agency or theUSDA invasive plant listbefore establish , to assure that your chosen variety is not considered invasive in your field .
Ground Covers
For grow as dry land binding , the following prostrate species are democratic .
They ’re also well suited for low barrier , rock gardens , disgorge over retain walls , and to stabilise depository financial institution and slopes .
1. Bearberry
Bearberry , C. dammeri , has low , train stem that raise up to 10 feet retentive , with a elevation that ranges from six to 24 inches .
An evergreen plant , the ovate leaves are deep green and shining , turning reddish - purpleness in the fall . The stems are cover with a jazzy display of single white flowers in late natural spring followed by bright red Charles Edward Berry through fall and winter .
Bearberry cotoneaster is a various bush that can be used for borderline , ground covers , atop keep walls , or for soil stabilization . Hardy in Zones 5 - 9 , plants are semi - evergreen in cold areas .

‘ Coral Beauty ’
‘ Coral Beauty ’ features lovely , coral pinkish berries and reaches matured dimensions of 18 - 24 inches tall with a spread of five to six feet .
you’re able to find plant life in # 1 containersavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

2. Cranberry
Cranberry cotoneaster , C. apiculatus , is low and sprawling with alright - textured foliage and long , trailing stems . Plants grow up to 18 column inch tall and circularize three to six animal foot .
pinkish blooms appear in spring , then a profusion of bright ruby berries in downslope , with circular , shiny leaf that change state cherry-red to burgundy in autumn .
This deciduous coinage is a beautiful option for a low barrier , earth blanket , rock garden , or for slope and camber stabilisation . Plants are worthy for cultivation in Zones 4 - 7 .

Cranberry Cotoneaster
you’re able to find plants in one - gallon containersavailable at Home Depot .
3. Creeping
C. adpressus , aka creeping cotoneaster , are compact deciduous plant life with trailing stem that attain up to six feet long with a pinnacle of only 12 inches .
Pinky reddish flower are trace by dour red Charles Edward Berry and thick burgundy fall colour . This mintage is stout in Zones 4 - 7 and is extremely drought tolerant once show .
Most effective when used for borders , ground covers , and in rockeries . It ’s also a popular option for topiary and bonsai .

‘ Tom Thumb ’
‘ Tom Thumb ’ is a dense , nanus cultivar with tiny leave of absence and smaller - than - average fruit .
Plants are available in one - gallon containersat Nature Hills Nursery .
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4. Kashmir
compendious with a low - grow form , Kashmir cotoneaster , C. cashmiriensis , is an evergreen species with a height of up to 12 inch and spreads up to four feet .
Hardy in Zones 5 - 8 , the dense foliage feature small , glossy green farewell and pink buds that unfold to white heyday , with dark crimson berries developing in autumn .
It makes an excellent ground cover or dirt stabiliser on banks and slopes and is evenly at base in containers or rockery . It ’s also popular as a bonsai specimen .

5. Littleleaf
One of the smallest and slowest acquire types , C. microphyllus , or littleleaf cotoneaster , is a mound evergreen with a mature summit of up to 18 inches and a counterpane of up to four feet .
pocket-size , unmarried white flowers appear in late summer follow by a profusion of dusty red berries in autumn .
Plants are stout in Zones 5 - 9 , and are suitable for bonsai , container , footing covers , rockeries , and other small outer space .

6. Tibetan
A densely mounding evergreen , C. conspicuus , or Tibetan cotoneaster , has rich green foliage and lovely arching branches that grow four feet tall with an eight - foot spread .
bow are cover with pretty , single bloodless peak in late spring and the berry are early to color , turn a shiny deep red in former summertime . Can be semi - deciduous in cooler area , with leaves turn deep red and maroon .
Hardy in Zones 5 - 9 , plants are well - suited for growing as undercoat covers , slope stabilizer , or as fillers in bed and borders .

Upright Hedge Types
The espouse upright mintage are commonly used for hedge as well as roadblock , founding plantings , standards , topiary , and windbreaks .
7. Black-Fruited
The sinister - fruitedC. melanocarpusis a mid - sized shrub with a rounded figure and is passing drought tolerant once established .
Abundant panicle of pinky - lily-white flowers appear in recent spring and pomes emerge as cryptic orange or red , then mature to a rich , purple bleak . The glossy , ovate leaves glint in blaze shades of orange , ruby-red , and chicken in fall .
desirable for refinement in Zones 3 - 7 , black - fruited cotoneaster is a deciduous shrub used for perimeter , hedges , and bank stability . It has a elevation and spread of four to eight feet .

8. European
A good choice for region with cool summers , the deciduous European species , C. integerrimus , has a multi - stemmed , upright increase of five to eight foot with a like spread .
In late springtime , the stems are encompass with attractive , small cream flowers and heavy foliage , then an abundance of rose - colored Charles Edward Berry . The stale light-green leaves put on vivid evenfall colouring material of Bourgogne and vermilion .
Popular in conservation projects and for multiple or individual - row windbreaks , shrubs can also be used as hedges and summer privacy screens . European cotoneaster is dauntless in Zones 3 - 6 .

9. Franchet’s
An outstanding evergreen to semi - evergreen , Franchet ’s cotoneaster , C. franchetii , features arching branches with a height of six to 10 feet with a spread of four to eight feet .
Small , gray - green ellipse leaves have white underside , and fairly blank flowers look in former spring followed by orange - blood-red berries . In cold regions , leaf turn yellow or ruby-red in autumn before drop from the bush .
Hardy in Zones 6 - 9 , the dense leaf makes an attractive barrier , formal or informal hedging , or secrecy screen .

10. Grayleaf
With low arching theme , the evergreen to semi - evergreen known as grayleaf , C. glaucophyllus , features small , gray - green , rounded leaves .
Dainty pairs of low white flower are follow by shiny Chuck Berry of orangish , pinkish , and vivid reddened .
It grows five to eight foot tall with a standardized bedspread and is well suited to imbed as a barrier , hedgerow , or privacy screen and is also a honest choice for xeriscapes . flora are sturdy in Zones 7 - 9 .

11. Hedge
Hedge , aka shiny cotoneaster , C. lucidus , features a rounded , upright growth habit with slow , spreading ramification and lustrous , bass green ovoid leaves .
In late natural spring , stems athletics pretty pink blooms that develop into deep purpleness to opprobrious Berry . In fall , the leave take on gorgeous colors of burgundy , crimson , fuchsia , orange , and yellow .
Superb as a founding plant , along fences and wall , for open or pare hedges , and privateness screens , this deciduous species has a height and bedcover of six to 10 foot . Hardy in zone 3 - 7 .

‘ Peking ’
‘ Beijing ’ is aC. luciduscultivar that grows to a ripe height of eight to 10 feet tall with a cattle farm of five to six infantry .
you may find bare antecedent plantsavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

12. Himalayan
A semi - evergreen variety with an upright drug abuse , Himalayan cotoneaster , C. simonsii , grow six to 10 feet tall with a similar bedcover .
In previous bound , halt are covered with little , pinkish - white flower accompany by comparatively large scarlet berries . The glossy , oviform leaves often take on a burgundy tinge in cold weather .
Hardy in Zones 4 - 8 , plant are well - suited for barriers , hedging , screens , or stabilizing banks and incline .

13. Hollyberry
A vigorous raiser with an upright substance abuse and graceful , arching shank , C. bullatusaka hollyberry , is a deciduous bush with a mature peak and spread of eight to 12 foot .
Aptly named , clusters of pale pinkish flowers give fashion to an abundant display of magnanimous , showy berries that colour betimes . The recondite - veined , textured leave of absence turn over acute shade of orange and cerise in declination .
Useful in the scope of shrubscapes , along fences or walls , and for develop as privacy screens , plants are audacious in Zones 5 - 9 .

14. Late
An evergreen plant shrub , recent cotoneaster , C. lacteus , is also know as milkflower or red clusterberry – for the beautiful clusters of milklike - white flowers and vivid cherry-red berry .
A courtly specimen with foresightful , arc branches , the ovate , gray - green leaves have white , feel - like undersides .
bush get eight to 12 feet improbable with a alike banquet , and are attractive for plant as barrier , hedges , screens , or training as criterion . plant are dauntless in Zones 6 - 9 .

15. Many-Flowered
A big , deciduous shrub , C. multiflorus , aka many - bloom or showy cotoneaster has an upright , mound growth substance abuse with a refined , weeping form .
In recent spring , halt are cover with a richness of small white flower followed by bright , scarlet red-faced berries . leave turn vibrant nicety of yellow in descent .
A reliable selection for bank stabilization , planting along fence and walls , and informal or conventional hedges . It grows eight to 12 feet tall with a banquet of 12 to 15 feet and is sturdy in Zones 4 - 8 .

16. Rockspray
The attractive stem structure ofC. horizontalis , aka rockspray or wallspray cotoneaster , makes it ideal for hedge or trained against fences and wall .
Small lily-white flowers have a confidential information of pinko , and smart red berries invest the base in descent along with a gorgeous display of orangish - red foliage . These deciduous shrubs are hardy in Zones 5 - 7
This coinage also does two-fold responsibility as a ground cover and is popular for bonsai , as well as for stabilise banks and side . The fanning branch in herringbone pattern patterns spread six to eight feet with a height of up to three animal foot .

17. Silverleaf
Upright with a handsome , arching form , silverleaf cotoneaster , C. pannosus , is an evergreen specie with a mature superlative and spread of 10 to 12 foot .
It features slow , dark green leave that have a silver , wooly underside , and obtuse clusters of small white bloom in other summer that develop scarlet to burgundy Chuck Berry .
A good choice for barrier , hedges , or espaliered on fences and walls , C. pannosusis hardy in Zones 7 - 10 , making it a good choice in strong regions .

18. Spreading
A deciduous species with a rounded , arc growth habit , the spreading cotoneaster , C. divaricatus , is noted for its attractive , densely branched shape that produce up to six foot with a spread of six to eight feet .
pocket-sized pink flower are showy in late spring followed by vivacious ruby Berry , and the glossy green leaves move around furbish tincture of orange and red in fall .
Widely used for barriers , border , hedges , silver screen , or group on banks and slopes , plants are hardy in Zones 4 - 7 .

19. Tree
One of the best change for breeding into a standard Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree physical body , C. frigidusis a large , deciduous to semi - evergreen shrub that hit a fledged tiptop and spread of 15 to 20 foot , with more thickset cultivars available as well .
Large , hanging corymbs of modest bloodless flower seem in late spring , follow by dense cluster of bright ruddy Berry . The elliptic , veined leaves can grow shades of yellow in fall as well .
Excellent to prune and plume as a monetary standard , for usage as hedge , and along fencing pedigree , the stems are also used for basketry . The tree cotoneaster is unfearing in Zones 6 - 9 .

20. Waterer’s
A vigorous evergreen plant or semi - evergreen bush with dark green , oval leaves , C.xwatereri , or Waterer ’s cotoneaster , has a height and spread of 16 feet .
This intercrossed variety , bred by John Waterer , nurseryman in the UK , is a hybridisation betweenC. frigidusandC. salicifolius .
Large clustering of white flowers show in early summer and produce an abundant show of red coral to bright scarlet Charles Edward Berry .

suited for planting as privacy barrier , borderline , hedges , screen , and windbreaks . Waterer ’s cotoneaster is hardy in Zones 7 - 10 , another well choice for warm regions .
21. Willowleaf
An evergreen plant to semi - evergreen bush , C. salicifoliusis a vigorous spreader with elegant , arching branches that have a height and spread of 12 to 15 feet . stocky cultivars are usable as well .
Abundant corymb of white flush are followed by sizeable clusters of ruby Chuck Berry . The singular foliage is deeply vein , with shaft - comparable folio that take on yellow and cerise feeling in downslope and burgundy shade in stale wintertime weather .
Hardy in Zones 6 - 8 , these shrubs make handsome borders , hedges , or screens , and nanus cultivars are popular as ground covers .

From Bonsai to Windbreaks
Appealing , easy to cultivate , and versatile , cotoneaster provides multiple seasons of interest that can be used in a wide reach of garden setting .
From barrier and ground plow to hedging and shelterbelt , these hardworking plants do it all – they ’re even pop asbonsai plant !
And for more know - how on growingornamental shrubsin your garden , be indisputable to read these articles next :

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Lorna Kring