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Rockspray Cotoneaster horizontalis

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter hor-ih-ZON-tal-iss
Description

Rockspray cotoneaster is a coarse, dense, slow-growing, shrub that reaches 2-3 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. The Latin name which includes horizontalis refers to its horizontal spreading habit.  In its southern reaches, it is semi-evergreen to evergreen. Grows best in well drained, loose, moist, loamy soil in full sun to part shade.  It will tolerate poor soil conditions.  Once established, it  will be drought tolerant.  Preferring somewhat cooler temperatures, it may not perform well in locations with hot summers, typically south of zone 7.

Spring blooms give way to abundant, showy red fruits. The reddish-purple fall colors are attractive in areas where it is deciduous. The unusual fishbone branch pattern provides year-round interest.

Typically used in rock gardens and slopes and can be trained to rock walls, trellises or fences.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Although relatively insect and disease free, lace bug, leaf spot, canker, fireblight and cotoneaster web worm can affect this plant.  Mites can also be an issue in hot, dry locations.  

Its self-sowing properties may necessitate removal of seedlings on a regular basis.  

If ingested, the fruits can cause stomach upset.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

 

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Robusta'
'Robusta'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#showy leaves#broadleaf evergreen#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#espalier#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#showy fruits#stream banks#groundcover#rock garden#fantz#poor soils tolerant#pomes#garden walls#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#heat intolerant#dense growth#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Robusta'
'Robusta'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#showy leaves#broadleaf evergreen#slopes#fall interest#rabbit resistant#espalier#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#showy fruits#stream banks#groundcover#rock garden#fantz#poor soils tolerant#pomes#garden walls#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#heat intolerant#dense growth#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cotoneaster
    Species:
    horizontalis
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & Southern China and Taiwan
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds and bees
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Horizontal
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Oval 1/4 inch wide bright red fruits appear in late summer and are enjoyed by birds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/2 inch 5 petaled pink flowers appear in late spring. They are borne singly or in pairs close to the branch.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1/2 inch round to elliptic, glossy dark green leaves. Leaves on deciduous plants turn an attractive reddish-purple in fall.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    Greenish to red-brown stems with branchlets arranged in a fishbone pattern. They have hairs when young but become hairless with age. The branching is stiff and flattened.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Erosion
    Pollution
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits