Cotoneasters include numerous species of attractive evergreen and deciduous shrubs. They have small rounded leaves and produce small white or pink flowers in the spring followed by red berries in the fall. Depending on the species, they grow in several climates including U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8. The size of cotoneasters ranges from short plants used as ground cover to large shrubs that can reach up to 25 feet tall.
Purchase a container-grown plant from a reputable nursery. The best time to plant cotoneasters is the fall although they will also do well if planted in the spring. They can solve erosion problems when planted on sloping lawns and do well in rock gardens.
Pick a spot where you are certain you want to keep the plant as cotoneaster does not transplant easily. The best locations have full to partial sun and well-drained, alkaline soil. Avoid areas where the soil tends to experience saturation for extended periods. Plant ground cover plants 5 feet apart. Space larger plants about 4 to 6 feet apart.
Dig a hole that is twice as deep and wide as the plant’s root ball. Save the topsoil on a tarp to use as backfill. Remove any rocky soil from the backfill. Remove any wire from the root ball with bolt cutters and use scissors to remove protective burlap.
Remove any densely matted roots before placing the plant in the hole. The top of the root ball should be at ground level. If you are planting a shrub near your house, rotate it so the best looking side is facing out.
Backfill the hole with the displaced soil after you amend it with compost or peat moss. Fill the hole to ground level. Thoroughly water the plant. You can use a soaker hose around the base of the plant for watering.
Spread mulch around plants to control weed growth. If temperatures drop to freezing, mulch will also help protect them from the cold. Cotoneasters will not survive extended periods of below freezing temperatures.
Water cotoneaster plants weekly and more in extreme heat during the first growing season to establish extensive, deep roots. After that, the plant only requires minimal watering.
Prune plants in the spring after flowering. You can thin plants at the base and trim branches that grow in awkward positions.
Use fungicides to control diseases such as fireblight and leaf spot. Prune out any infected branches. Spray plants with dormant oil and lime sulfur to control scale. Spray plants with a forceful stream of water to remove spider mites.
Things You Will Need
- Cotoneaster container plant
- Bolt cutters
- Garden scissors
- Peat moss or compost
- Pruning shears
- Fungicide (optional)
- Dormant oil (optional)
- Lime sulfur (optional)
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Plants Profile - Cotoneaster Medik
- Sunset: Cotoneaster
- Sunset: Cotoneaster Horizontalis
- North Dakota State University Extension Service: Questions on Cotoneaster
- The Garden Primer; Barbara Damrosch
- New York State Horticulture Study Guide for Youth: Cotoneaster
- Yardener: Planting Cranberry Cotoneaster
- This Old House: How to Plant a Shrub
- San Marcos Growers: Cotoneaster Dammeri 'Lowfast' - Bearberry Cotoneaster
- San Marcos Growers: Cotoneaster Dammeri 'Coral Beauty' - Bearberry Cotoneaster