Spreading Cotoneaster Cotoneaster divaricatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter dy-vair-ih-KAY-tus
- Description
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Spreading Cotoneaster is an upright, rounded, densely branched, deciduous shrub reaching 5-6 feet tall by 6-8 feet wide that is named for its spreading habit. It is easy to grow in well-drained soils. It grows best in loam based soils, however, will adapt to other soil types. It tolerates poor soils and drought once established. Pruning to remove old wood will also encourage its arching branching. Provide a layer of mulch to discourage weeds.
Young plants can have a upright columnar habit, but will quickly take on a more horizontal, spreading habit. The outer stems are unbranched for 1' to 3', horizontal to slightly descending.
Each flower in itself isn't much to look at, but the profuse number of flowers makes up for their tiny size. The flowers can be hidden by the foliage. After blooming in the spring, the flowers give way to red berries which persist into the winter. The leaves have attractive fall color.
Use as a hedge, border, foundation planting or on a slope.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although no serious disease or insect issue exist, it has some susceptibility to lace bug, fireblight, leaf spot, canker and cotoneaster web worm. In dry, hot conditions, mites can be a problem
- 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:
- divaricatus
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and mammals eat the fruits.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy, egg-shaped, 1/4-1/2 inch long oval bright red fruits mature in the fall and persist to the onset of winter. Each contain 1 to 3 nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Abundant clusters of 1/4 inch 5 petaled white to pink-tinged flowers in May- June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1 inch long oval glossy green leaves have a nice orange to red fall color. The margins a flat and not rolled on this shrub. 3-4 pairs of veins appear on the leaves. Underside is a lighter color.
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Bark:
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is thin and smooth
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Red-purple multi-stems are pubescence on the tips and have a waxy coating that flakes off with age further down the stems. Buds are small.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Pollution
- Rabbits
