Parney's cotoneaster Cotoneaster coriaceus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cotoneaster lacteus
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter co-ree-AY-shes
- Description
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Parney cotoneaster or late cotoneaster is an evergreen Chinese shrub in the Rosaceae (rose) family native to China with an erect, loose, spreading habit. At maturity it will reach 6-10 feet tall and wide. In spring, clusters of small white flowers appear that become clusters of bright red berries in late summer to fall that persist into the winter. Birds and small mammals enjoy the berries. The name coriaceus comes from the word "leathery" which is how the leaves feel.
It will grow in any well-drained soil in full sun to part shade and is drought tolerant once established. It handles salt spray, heavy winds, and urban pollution with ease, making it a perfect choice for coastal gardens or roadside screening. It has dramatic arching branches so it is best not to prune so it keeps its shape.
The synonym given to this plant means that it is one of the latest cotoneasters to bloom and fruit. That way it doesn't have to compete with other plants for the attention of pollinators in the spring or berry-eating birds in the fall.
Plant it for ornamental value. It has been recognized with the Royal Horticultural Society Award for Garden Merit.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No known insect problems or diseases.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cotoneaster
- Species:
- coriaceus
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tibet to South Central China
- Wildlife Value:
- Berries are a food source; flowers attract pollinators
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Screening
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Spreading
- Weeping
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/4 inch bright red fruits in clusters in late summer that persists into winter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small, white flowers in clusters up to 2.5 inches appear in late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval leaves are up to 2 inches long and dark green with fuzzy white hairs on the undersides.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Reddish-brown stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Salt
