Willowleaf Cotoneaster Cotoneaster salicifolius
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Willowleaf Cotoneaster:
- Phonetic Spelling
- koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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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:
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'Autumn Fire'
- 'Emerald Carp'
- 'Gnom'
- 'Scarlet Leader'
Low-lying
Dark-green lustrous leaves - 'Emerald Carp'
- 'Autumn Fire', 'Emerald Carp', 'Gnom', 'Repens', 'Scarlet Leader'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Autumn Fire'
- 'Emerald Carp'
- 'Gnom'
- 'Scarlet Leader'
Low-lying
Dark-green lustrous leaves - 'Emerald Carp'
- 'Autumn Fire', 'Emerald Carp', 'Gnom', 'Repens', 'Scarlet Leader'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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:
- 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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thin reddish green stems
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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
