Cotoneaster conspicuus 'Red Alert'

RHS Plant Profile

Tibetan cotoneaster 'Red Alert'

Shrubs

Low-growing, wide spreading evergreen shrub about 1m tall, with small, dark green leaves, and small clusters of white summer flowers followed by very free-fruiting, shiny red berries that often last well into winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Cotoneaster can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, entire leaves and clusters of small white or pink flowers in spring and summer, followed by showy red, purple or black berries
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade, with shelter from cold winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8 if necessary, in mid or late summer, back to the nearest fading flowers or berry cluster

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, scale insects and cotoneaster webber caterpillar

Diseases

May be susceptible to fire blight and honey fungus