Prostrate Willowleaf Cotoneaster Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Repens'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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'Repens' is a low-growing groundcover with dark-green lustrous leaves that may be semi-evergreen in severe winters. It is similar to Willowleaf Cotoneaster but grows only to 1 foot tall with an eight-foot spread. Tolerant of most soils but prefers loose well-drained soil. Very drought tolerant and used on banks and slopes that are hard to mow. It is a fast grower and needs plenty of room to spread.
Masses of white flowers are produced in spring and are followed by showy red fruits that persist into winter. The 1-inch leaves are smaller than Willow Cotoneaster and are glossy dark green. They may take on a purplish hue in winter.
Quick ID Hints:
- Low-growing, fountain-like, evergreen shrub
- Branching occurs in 1 plane- herringbone pattern
- The Red berry has 5-pointed star at the end
- Alternate, elliptic-oblong leaves
Please consider planting natives. See alternate choices to the left.
- 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:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- 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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 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:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Produces large amounts of showy red pome fruits that persist into winter.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Small white flowers appear in clusters in May. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch and have a weakly fetid odor.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1-2 inch leaves are dark green with a gray pubescent underside. They are alternate, simple and elliptic-oblong.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- Grayish brown bark
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Slender stems that branch in one plane.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Salt
