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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cotoneaster horizontalis Cotoneaster horizontalis
Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold'
Ulmus americana Full Form
Cotoneaster divaricatus has some common insect problems:
Lace Bugs
Mites Found on Flowers and Foliage
Cotoneaster divaricatus has some common disease problems:
Fire Blight

Spreading Cotoneaster Cotoneaster divaricatus

Phonetic Spelling
koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter dy-vair-ih-KAY-tus
Description

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#winter interest#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#stream banks#well-drained soil#deer resistant#border planting#screening#pomes#loamy soils tolerant#winter garden#partial shade tolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#showy leaves#winter interest#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#showy fruits#stream banks#well-drained soil#deer resistant#border planting#screening#pomes#loamy soils tolerant#winter garden#partial shade tolerant#hedge
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    The bark is thin and smooth
  • 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.
  • 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