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'
- 'Robusta'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Robusta'
- 'Robusta'
- 'Robusta'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
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
