Rockspray cotoneaster
Cotoneaster microphyllus · Rosaceae
📷 Jerzy Opioła · CC BY 3.0
⚠️ Chiens et chats : baies contiennent glycosides cyanogènes. Ingestion provoque troubles digestifs et irritation.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around rockspray cotoneaster and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, small dark green leaves
- Flowering
- May to June, small white or pale pink flowers
- Fruits
- Scarlet red berries, decorative in autumn and winter
- Adult size
- 100 cm in height, compact and spreading habit
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, tolerates temperatures down to -15°C
- Origin
- Himalayas, mountainous regions of Asia
- Soil type
- Well-draining, tolerates poor and chalky soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
This little cotoneaster handles total neglect once established. Plant it away from regular watering schedules: it's a 'plant and forget' kind of guy, perfect for dry zones.
The common mistake
Overfeeding it with fertilizer or regular watering makes its growth soft and reduces fruiting.
The pro's trick
Sow the berries harvested in autumn after winter stratification (3 months in cold, moist conditions) to multiply it for free.
Care
Watering
Cotoneaster has very low water requirements once established. Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root development. In summer, occasional watering is sufficient unless there's prolonged drought. Avoid excessive moisture which promotes fungal diseases.
Light Exposure
Plant your cotoneaster in full sun to obtain abundant flowering and generous fruiting. It tolerates partial shade but flowers and fruits less densely. Avoid overly windy locations which can dry out the foliage.
Pruning
Perform light pruning in late winter or early spring to maintain a harmonious shape. Pinch young shoots to encourage branching. Limit pruning as it reduces fruiting. Remove dead or damaged branches.
Soil
Cotoneaster adapts to most well-draining soils. It thrives even in poor, sandy or chalky soils. Avoid overly compact and poorly draining substrates. A light addition of organic matter at planting is more than sufficient.
Fertilizing
Apply moderate balanced fertilizer in spring. Cotoneaster doesn't require intensive fertilization. In very poor soil, diluted organic fertilizer once a year is enough. Avoid excess nitrogen which promotes foliage at the expense of fruiting.
Diseases and Pests
Cotoneaster is generally very hardy against diseases. Watch for powdery mildew and rust in humid environments; improve air circulation and drainage. Scale insects may occasionally affect the foliage. Little treatment is necessary under normal conditions.
Did you know?
Cotoneaster microphyllus fascinates ornithologists because its scarlet red berries in winter feed numerous migratory birds, particularly thrushes and blackbirds. In the Himalayan regions of Asia, its Latin botanical name 'Cotoneaster' means 'false quince' due to its botanical resemblance to Cydonia. This robust small shrub has become an indispensable classic in contemplative Asian gardens for centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.