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Autumn Fire Cotoneaster Cotoneaster salicifolius

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Autumn Fire Cotoneaster:

Phonetic Spelling
koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-us
Description

Willow-Leaved Cotoneaster is a drought-tolerant, evergreen to semi-evergreen, low-lying, small to medium-sized shrub with an arched branching habit. It is tolerant of any well-drained loose soil and is frequently used for slopes and banks that are hard to mow. It spreads quickly so give it room. 

Many small white flowers appear in corymbs in June that give way to bright red fruit in the fall that persists in winter. The leaves may take on a purplish hue in winter.

Susceptible to fire blight, scale insects and spider mites.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Autumn Fire', 'Emerald Carp', 'Gnom', 'Repens', 'Scarlet Leader'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#low maintenance#mass planting#erosion control#stream banks#fast growing#children's garden#playground plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#pomes#partial shade tolerant#winter fruits#hedge#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Autumn Fire', 'Emerald Carp', 'Gnom', 'Repens', 'Scarlet Leader'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#low maintenance#mass planting#erosion control#stream banks#fast growing#children's garden#playground plant#fantz#evergreen shrub#pomes#partial shade tolerant#winter fruits#hedge#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cotoneaster
    Species:
    salicifolius
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Central China
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds, bees
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small bright red fruit in fall persists into winter
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    2 in. clusters of white flowers with an odor not always considered pleasant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Dark green willow-like leaves with fine gray hairs on the underside.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Thin reddish green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Recreational Play Area
    Rock Wall
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil
    Rabbits