Cotoneaster salicifolius

RHS Plant Profile

willow-leaved cotoneaster

RHS

Shrubs

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Vigorous evergreen shrub to 5m tall, with arching branches and lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 10cm long. White summer flowers in flat-topped flower clusters are followed by heavy crops of almost spherical, shiny bright red fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–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: Bushy
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: Correct
Plant Range: SW China, Tibet

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part shade; protect from cold dry winds in colder or northern areas

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 8 if necessary, in mid or late summer, back to the nearest fading flowers or berry cluster Pruning group 13 for wall training

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to fireblight and honey fungus