Spreading Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster divaricatus (ROSACEAE)
Planting and Growing Spreading Cotoneaster
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow spreading cotoneaster in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and berries of spreading cotoneaster
- Growing conditions for spreading cotoneaster
- When and where to plant spreading cotoneaster
- How to plant spreading cotoneaster
- How to shape, prune and control growth of spreading cotoneaster
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of spreading cotoneaster
- Landscape uses of spreading cotoneaster
- Pest and disease control for spreading cotoneaster
Growing Spreading Cotoneaster
Several species and cultivars of upright or low-growing, branching or spreading, thorny deciduous shrubs, to 6 ft. (1.8 m) tall and 10 ft. (3 m) wide, with shiny, dark green, smooth, oval, pointed leaves, to 3/4-in. (19-mm) long.
Closely related species with similar care needs include bearberry cotoneaster, Cotoneaster dammeri; rockspray cotoneaster, Cotoneaster horizontalis; littleleaf cotoneaster, Cotoneaster microphyllus; many-flowered cotoneaster, Cotoneaster multiflorus; and willow-leaved cotoneaster, Cotoneaster salicifolius.
Spreading Cotoneaster Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Pink or red flowers, to 1/2-in. (12-mm) wide, in spring, form red berries, 1/2-in. (12-mm) wide, in autumn–winter.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 5–10; ground hardy, zones 7–9.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Average–low. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Partial shade. Space 5 ft. (1.5 m) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize monthly spring–autumn. Prune sparingly. Protect from frost, zones 5–6. Propagate by cuttings, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for barriers, espaliers, ground covers, hedges, paths in formal, natural, rock gardens. Good ground cover for erosion control on hillsides. Berries attract birds. Drought, salt, wind tolerant.