Small-leaved cotoneaster Cotoneaster microphyllus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter my-kro-FIL-us
- Description
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Littleleaf or Small-leaved Cotoneaster is a low-growing evergreen to a semi-evergreen shrub that spreads wider than tall. It is native to rocky slopes and thickets in the Himalayas. Mature shrubs will be 2-3 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. They grow in any well-drained soil, even rocky ones, in full sun to part shade.
Small white flowers form on the stiff horizontal stems in spring and are followed by bright red fruits that persist into winter. Do not plant where an invasive spread is a concern as it has escaped cultivation in some areas of the country. It does well in woodland and rock gardens, on slopes or as a low hedge. The root system is extensive and the branches root as it grows which makes it helpful with erosion control.
This plant is drought tolerant but susceptible to fire blight and spider mites, especially in warmer areas.
- 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:
- microphyllus
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Branches used for making baskets
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalaya to China (Sichuan, Yunnan) and N. Myanmar, NW. India
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds, pollinators
- Play Value:
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Fruits are edible if cooked
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 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:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- 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:
- 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
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- 1/4 inch round red fruits appear along the stems and persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/3 inch white solitary flowers appear along the branches in April to June
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1/2 inch alternate, simple, dark green leaves have densely woolly undersides. Margins tend to curl downward.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Weedy
