Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Autumn Fire'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- 'Herbstfeuer'
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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A hybrid of Cotoneaster salicifolius and Cotoneaster dammeri, Autumn Fire Cotoneaster is a semi-woody, drought-tolerant, evergreen to semi-evergreen low growing shrub. Its low growing habit make it an excellent ground cover or low hedge. Over time, its horizontal stems will arch upwards and over each other, forming a dense carpet of leaves. In some locations it is used as lawn substitute.
If ingested, the fruits can cause stomach upset.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: There is some susceptibility to Fire blight, brown scale, Hawthorn Lace Bug, as well a woolly aphids, and aphids.
In colder climates, protect from cold, drying winds.
- 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:
- salicifolius
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Germany
- Wildlife Value:
- The berries provide winter food for songbirds. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Small, 1/4", bright red berries survive into fall and winter, providing food for songbirds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 1.5-2" white flowers appear in May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The wrinkled texture leaves are 1.5 to 3.5" and .5" wide. The underside is hairy and covered with a whitish waxy material. They have a similar look to a weeping willow.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Rabbits
