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Wall Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster horizontalis

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose)

Also in this family:

Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry

Type:

Semi-evergreen shrub

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

1 metre tall

Habitats:

Disturbed ground, gardens, mountains, roadsides, rocky places, walls.

Flower:

✿

Pink, 5 petals

Wall Cotoneaster produces small, star-shaped white to pale pink flowers clustered along its arching stems. Blooming in late spring (May to June), these flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local insect populations.

Fruit:

By autumn, the flowers give way to bright red berries about 6–8 mm in diameter. These fruits persist into winter and are a valuable food source for birds such as thrushes and blackbirds, which help disperse the seeds.

Leaves:

The leaves are small, ovate, and glossy dark green with finely toothed margins. They are arranged alternately along the branches and often turn reddish in autumn, adding seasonal interest to the plant’s dense, fan-shaped growth.

Fragrance:

Wall Cotoneaster’s flowers have a faint, subtle scent that is generally not noticeable unless closely inspected. Its main appeal lies in its visual texture and wildlife value rather than fragrance.

Other Names:

Rock Spray, Rockspray Cotoneaster, Wall Spray.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Summary

Cotoneaster horizontalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to China. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree with dark green leaves and small, pink flowers that appear in the spring. In the fall, the plant produces small, red berries that are attractive to birds. Cotoneaster horizontalis is known for its attractive flowers and berries and is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Blog

Wall cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a low-growing shrub that is native to Asia and Europe. It is prized for its attractive, glossy leaves and its abundant production of small, red or orange berries. In addition to its ornamental qualities, wall cotoneaster is a popular choice for gardeners because it is easy to grow and care for.

Growing Wall Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster horizontalis is a hardy plant that grows well in a variety of soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade, and it is very adaptable to different growing conditions. Wall cotoneaster is a slow-growing shrub, but it can reach a height of up to 3 feet and a spread of up to 6 feet over time.

When planting wall cotoneaster, it is important to provide good drainage. It should be planted in a well-drained area that does not collect standing water. The plant should be spaced about 3 feet apart to allow for adequate room for growth.

Watering and Fertilizing Wall Cotoneaster

Wall cotoneaster is drought tolerant once established, but it does require regular watering during its first year in the garden. It should be watered deeply once a week, or more frequently during extended periods of drought. During the winter months, it is important to water the plant sparingly, as it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil remains too moist.

Wall cotoneaster benefits from regular fertilization during the growing season. It is recommended to fertilize the plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring, and again in mid-summer. If the plant is growing in a soil that is not fertile, it may be necessary to add organic matter to the soil to provide adequate nutrients.

Pruning and Training Wall Cotoneaster

Wall cotoneaster does not require regular pruning, but it can be trimmed to maintain its shape or to control its size. If pruning is necessary, it should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It is important to avoid pruning the plant after it has begun to produce flowers, as this will remove the potential for fruit production.

Wall cotoneaster can be trained to grow as a groundcover, or it can be trained to grow on a wall or trellis. To train wall cotoneaster as a groundcover, it should be planted in a row and allowed to spread. To train it to grow on a wall or trellis, it should be planted near the base of the structure and trained to climb by tying its branches to the support.

In conclusion, wall cotoneaster is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that is well-suited for a variety of garden styles. Its attractive foliage, vibrant berries, and ease of care make it a popular choice for gardeners. With the proper care, wall cotoneaster can provide years of beauty and interest to your garden.

Disease and Pest Management for Wall Cotoneaster

Wall cotoneaster is generally a healthy and disease-resistant plant, but it can be susceptible to a few common issues. One of the most common issues is fire blight, which is a bacterial disease that causes the leaves and shoots to blacken and die. To prevent fire blight, it is important to plant wall cotoneaster in a well-drained area, and to avoid overcrowding or wetting the foliage when watering.

Another issue that can affect wall cotoneaster is spider mites. These tiny pests feed on the plant's leaves, causing them to become discolored and damaged. To prevent spider mites, it is important to keep the foliage of the plant dry, as they thrive in hot, dry conditions. If spider mites become a problem, they can be controlled with a strong stream of water or with the application of an insecticidal soap.

Wall cotoneaster is also susceptible to scale insects, which can be difficult to control. Scale insects feed on the sap of the plant, causing it to become weakened and stressed. If scale insects become a problem, they can be controlled with the application of horticultural oil or with a systemic insecticide.

Using Wall Cotoneaster in the Landscape

Wall cotoneaster is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of garden styles. It is ideal for rock gardens, woodland gardens, and as a groundcover for slopes and banks. It is also a popular choice for use as a low hedge or as an accent plant in mixed borders.

In addition to its ornamental qualities, wall cotoneaster provides food and habitat for birds and other wildlife. The small, red or orange berries produced by the plant are an important food source for birds during the winter months, and the dense growth habit of the plant provides shelter and protection for small animals and insects.

Whether you are looking for a low-growing groundcover, a colorful accent plant, or a source of food and habitat for wildlife, wall cotoneaster is a plant that should be considered for your garden. With its ease of care and attractive qualities, wall cotoneaster is a valuable addition to any landscape.

Propagating Wall Cotoneaster

Wall cotoneaster is relatively easy to propagate and can be grown from seed or from cuttings.

To grow wall cotoneaster from seed, collect the berries in late fall or early winter, and plant them in a well-drained seed starting mix. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water thoroughly. Place the seeds in a warm, bright location, and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination typically takes place within a few weeks to a few months.

To propagate wall cotoneaster from cuttings, take stem cuttings in late spring or early summer. Cut a 4-6 inch section of stem from the parent plant, making sure that the cuttings have at least 2-3 nodes. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a well-drained potting mix, water thoroughly, and place in a bright, warm location. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and within a few weeks to a few months, roots should begin to form.

Whether you choose to grow wall cotoneaster from seed or from cuttings, it is important to provide the young plants with the proper care and attention they need to grow strong and healthy. With a little bit of effort, you can propagate your own wall cotoneaster plants and enjoy their beauty and interest in your garden for years to come.

In conclusion, wall cotoneaster is a beautiful and valuable plant for any garden. Its attractive foliage, vibrant berries, and ease of care make it a popular choice for gardeners. With proper care and attention, wall cotoneaster can provide years of beauty and interest in your garden, and it can also be propagated for use in other areas of the landscape. So why not give wall cotoneaster a try in your own garden today?

Video

Wall Cotoneaster filmed in Wigan, Lancashire on the 7th August 2022.

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Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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