Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) is a genus of shrubs that includes low-growing plants often used as ground covers, rounded plants with a graceful, arching form and upright varieties growing to heights of 25 feet. In springtime, Cotoneaster displays tiny rose-like blooms in shades of white or pink. Cotonester thrives in cool climates and most varieties are suitable for growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8.
Low-growing varieties suitable for ground covers are generally spreading, prostrate shrubs that measure between 8 inches and 3 feet. Bearberry cotoneaster (Cotoneater dammeri) is a vigorous 8-inch evergreen shrub that spreads to 6 feet. This attractive evergreen shrub suitable for USDA zones 6 through 8 displays white flowers in summertime and deep green leaves that turn bronze in autumn. Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis), is a 2- to 3-foot shrub with an impressive spread of 15 feet. Rockspray cotoneaster is a slow-growing deciduous variety with stiff branches and small, bright green leaves that turn orange and red in autumn. Cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus), a deciduous shrub suitable for growing in USDA zones 7 and 8, is valued for the clusters of bright red berries that appear in winter. Cranberry cotoneaster matures at 3 feet tall with a width of 6 feet.
The cotoneaster genus includes several mid-size varieties with compact, mounded forms. For example, wintergreen cotoneaster (Cotoneaster conspicuus), is a 4- to 6-foot semi-evergreen shrub that grows in USDA zones 7 through 8. This plant displays glossy, lance-shaped leaves, white clusters of blooms in spring and red berries that last well into winter. Gray-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster glaucophyllus), an evergreen shrub that reaches mature heights of 10 to 12 feet, bears white flowers in summer, followed by orange-red berries in autumn. This plant is suitable for growing in USDA zones 6 through 9. Spreading cotoneaster (Cotoneaster divaricatus), also hardy in zones 6 through 9, is a rounded, deciduous, 6- to 8-foot shrub with pinkish white flowers in summertime, followed by dark red fruit in autumn.
Upright cotoneasters are sturdy shrubs that reach heights of up to 25 feet. One distinctive cotoneaster is Peking cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius), a deciduous, midsize shrub that reaches 10 feet. This hardy plant, suitable for USDA zones 4 through 8, displays glossy green foliage that turns red in autumn, followed by showy black berries. Willowleaf cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius), suitable for USDA zones 7 through 8, is a fast-growing evergreen shrub with hundreds of white flowers in summer, followed by shiny, bright-red fruit in autumn. "John Waterer" (Cotoneaster x watereri) is a vigorous evergreen variety with deep-green leaves, white summertime blooms and red fruit in autumn. This plant is suitable for growing in USDA zones 6 through 8.
Three rambunctious cotoneaster varieties are listed on invasive plant lists in certain areas. The shrubs, which spread quickly by seeds, cause problems in coastal areas, forests, shrublands and grasslands when they compete with native plants for light, water and soil nutrients. Also, invasive shrubs often create a fire danger, acting as fire ladders when they grow under taller trees. One invasive variety is Cotoneaster franchetii, a fast-growing plant that grows in USDA zones 6 through 8. The shrub, which reaches heights and widths of up to 10 feet, displays white blooms with a reddish tint. Also known as milkflower cotoneaster or Parney's cotoneaster, Cotoneaster lacteus is a dense, invasive, 12-foot shrub hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10. The third variety is Cotoneaster pannosa, commonly known as velvet cotoneaster or silverleaf cotoneaster. This invasive shrub is a white-blooming variety that grows in USDA zones 5 through 8.
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Cotoneaster—Cotoneaster Spp.
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.
- California Invasive Plant Council: Invasive Plants of California's Wildland
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Species)
- PlantDistributors.com: Cotoneaster
- California Invasive Plant Council: Cotoneaster Species
- Weedwatch: Cotoneaster Pannosa