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Himalayan Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster simonsii

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.
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Contents

Plant Profile

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 Service Tree, 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 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, Wall Cotoneaster, 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:
Evergreen shrub
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
150 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, grassland, heathland, hedgerows, parks, rocky places, scrub, walls, wasteland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Pink, 5 petals
 
Very pale pink flowers with a very uniquely identifiable red patch in the centre of each petal. Flowers measure up to 8mm across. Pollinated by flies and midges.
Fruit:
Orange-red, oblong berry. Ripens in October.
Leaves:
Simple, entire, glossy leaves. Pointed oval or elliptical. Indented veins. Shiny on the upper surfaces of the leaves, downy and white beneath.
Other Names:
Simons' Cotoneaster.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Other Information

Summary

Cotoneaster simonsii is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is native to China and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. Cotoneaster simonsii is a deciduous shrub that grows to a height of about 6-8 feet. It has glossy, green leaves and clusters of small, white flowers that bloom in the summer. The plant is known for its attractive red berries, which appear in the fall and persist throughout the winter. Cotoneaster simonsii is easy to grow and is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions. It is a popular choice for use in hedges, as a ground cover, or as a specimen plant.

Blog

If you are looking for a low-maintenance shrub that adds beauty and interest to your garden, the Himalayan cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) is a great choice. This versatile shrub is native to the Himalayas and is prized for its delicate foliage, stunning flowers, and juicy berries that attract birds.

One of the best things about the Himalayan cotoneaster is that it is easy to grow and care for. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade and will thrive in a variety of soils as long as they are well-drained. The shrub is hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures, making it a good choice for gardens in temperate climates.

The leaves of the Himalayan cotoneaster are small and glossy, adding a delicate texture to the shrub. In the spring, the shrub produces clusters of delicate, white or pink flowers that are sure to catch your eye. These flowers are followed by juicy red or orange berries that persist through the winter, providing food for birds and adding color to your garden even in the dead of winter.

In addition to its ornamental value, the Himalayan cotoneaster is also a good choice for a hedge or screen. It can be trimmed to shape and will grow to be 4-6 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide. The shrub is also a great choice for rock gardens, as it will cling to rocky outcroppings and slopes.

If you are interested in planting the Himalayan cotoneaster in your garden, it is best to start with young, healthy plants. These can be purchased from a local nursery or online. Once you have your plants, you can plant them in a well-drained soil and water them regularly until they are established. After that, they should be drought-tolerant and require very little maintenance.

The Himalayan cotoneaster is a versatile and beautiful shrub that is easy to grow and care for. Whether you are looking for a low-maintenance plant for your garden, a hedge or screen, or a plant to add interest to your rock garden, the Himalayan cotoneaster is a great choice.

In terms of pests and diseases, the Himalayan cotoneaster is generally a low-maintenance shrub and is not prone to many problems. However, it can be susceptible to a few issues, such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, and fire blight. To minimize these problems, it is important to plant the shrub in a well-drained soil and avoid over-watering.

Another important factor to consider when growing the Himalayan cotoneaster is pruning. Pruning is not necessary for this shrub, but it can be trimmed to shape if desired. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Pruning in late summer or fall can reduce the number of berries that the shrub produces.

Finally, it is important to note that the berries produced by the Himalayan cotoneaster are toxic to humans and should not be consumed. However, they are a valuable food source for birds and can help support local bird populations.

The Himalayan cotoneaster is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is easy to grow and care for. Its delicate foliage, stunning flowers, and juicy berries make it a great choice for any garden. With proper care and attention, it can provide years of enjoyment and beauty.

Another interesting aspect of the Himalayan cotoneaster is its use in traditional medicine. The plant has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties. It is believed to have a number of health benefits, including improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system.

The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat skin conditions and wounds. The juice from the berries is believed to have antiseptic properties and can be applied topically to help speed up the healing process. Additionally, the leaves of the plant are said to have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat skin irritations and rashes.

It is important to note that while the Himalayan cotoneaster has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, it is not recommended to use it as a substitute for traditional medical treatments. If you are experiencing health problems, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

In terms of landscape design, the Himalayan cotoneaster is a versatile shrub that can be used in a number of different ways in your garden. Its delicate foliage and stunning flowers make it a great choice for mixed borders, and its ability to grow in a variety of soils and light conditions makes it a good choice for rock gardens and slopes. Additionally, its dense growth habit makes it a good choice for a hedge or screen.

In conclusion, the Himalayan cotoneaster is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is easy to grow and care for. Its delicate foliage, stunning flowers, juicy berries, and traditional medicinal uses make it a great addition to any garden. Whether you are looking to add beauty to your garden, support local bird populations, or make use of traditional medicinal practices, the Himalayan cotoneaster is a plant to consider.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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