Presentation of the cottoneaster
Fact sheet : | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cotoneaster |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Other name | Cotoneaster |
| Etymology | The name comes from the Latin “cottoneus” and the suffix -aster meaning “which resembles a quince”. |
| Origin | Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia |
| Dimensions | Between 0.5 and 1 m high and 1 to 1.5 m wide when mature |
| Flower color(s) | White |
| Leaf color(s) | Light green |
| Appearance of the flowers | Small, very honey-producing flowers followed, in the fall, by red or orange fruits which are very popular with birds |
| Appearance of the leaves | Small, thick, oval leaves |
| Plant type | Ornamental shrub |
| Vegetation | Perennial |
| Foliage in winter | Deciduous, Evergreen |
| Bloom |
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Jul.
August
Seven.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. |
| The varieties | Cotoneaster dammeri; Cotoneaster lacteus; Cotoneaster horizontalis; Cotoneaster franchetii; Cotoneaster lucidus; cottoneaster adpressus; Cotoneaster congestus; Cotoneaster divaricatus |
Culture sheet: | |
|---|---|
| Planting |
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Jul.
August
Seven.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. |
| Growth | Fast |
| Exposure | Sun, Partial shade |
| Ground | Drained, All soil types |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Use | Open ground, Tray, Ground cover, Free hedge |
| Multiplication | Semi, Cutting, Layering |
| Disease(s) and pest(s) | Resistant to disease, fire blight |
What light and exposure are ideal for the cottoneaster?
You can plant a cottoneaster even in a shady location, but it is in the sun that it will offer you more generous flowering and optimal fruiting. As we have said, it is an unrestrictive plant which will accommodate all locations.
What is the ideal temperature for the cottoneaster?
Generally speaking, the cotoneaster is very hardy and withstands temperatures down to -25°C. This great resistance to cold allows it to be cultivated in any region of France, including in regions where winters tend to be harsh. However, if you opt for a species of evergreen shrubs, they are a little more chilly and require protection from cold winds.
Watering the Cotoneaster
The year following planting, it will be important to make sure to water your cottoneaster during periods of high heat, until it is well rooted. Subsequently, it is a plant that can withstand occasional episodes of drought. It is only in the event of an episode of drought that extends over time that it will be necessary to water.
If you grow your cottoneaster in a container, you will need to water it as soon as the substrate is dry on the surface.
What types of soil and fertilizer for the cottoneaster?
Earth
The Cotoneaster thrives in all types of soil as long as it is sufficiently drained, because its roots do not appreciate excessive humidity.
Fertilizer
In open ground, adding fertilizer is not necessary. It can be considered if your shrub is grown in a container.
Planting the cottoneaster
Planting the cotoneaster is also very simple. You simply need to ensure good drainage of the soil. Here’s how to do it:
- Prepare a hole three times the size of the root ball. While you prepare this hole, soak the root ball in water to rehydrate the roots. If you plan to plant several cottoneasters to create a hedge, plan to space them 80 cm apart from each other. On the other hand, if you want to use several cottoneasters to cover the ground of an embankment, for example, allow 3 to 5 feet per square meter.
- At the bottom of the hole, install a thick bed of gravel or pozzolan to promote drainage and prevent water stagnation.
- Install your cottoneaster in the hole, taking care not to bury the bottom branches.
- Fill the hole with soil, then tamp it down.
- Finish with copious watering.
- You can put mulch at the base of your shrub to keep the soil moist.
For planting a cottoneaster in a container, the planting technique is the same, but it is preferable to fill the container with a mixture of potting soil, garden soil and sand, again to resolve the issue of drainage.
How to propagate the cottoneaster?
It is possible to propagate the cotoneaster in different ways:
- By sowing in the fall or early spring: using seeds that have previously been soaked in water. The seeds are found in the fruits.
- By layering in spring: To do this, you just need to find a branch that can reach down to the ground so as to bury part of it in a small furrow that you have dug. Then cover with garden soil, pack and water.
- By cuttings: either at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn for semi-woody cuttings, or in spring for herbaceous cuttings depending on the species to be propagated.
How to cut the cottoneaster?
Regular pruning of the cotoneaster is not mandatory. However, to keep a beautiful shrub with a compact shape and generous flowering, it may be wise to fold it down from time to time. In fact, pruning allows new branches to start on those that are bare.
It is a plant that does not fear severe pruning. To do this, favor the beginning of spring. The evergreen Cotoneaster requires training pruning the first two years in order to balance the shrub.
Maintaining the cottoneaster
The Cotoneaster does not require any special maintenance.
Species and varieties of the Cotoneaster genus: there are a large number of them
The Cotoneaster genus includes around 200 species some of which are more shrubby and others more ground cover, and some evergreen, while in others it is deciduous. Ornamental species generally originate from Asia. The latter are appreciated for their white or pink flowers, their evergreen foliage and their numerous berries.
Among those :
- Cotoneaster dammeri;
- Cotoneaster lacteus;
- Cotoneaster horizontalis;
- Cotoneaster franchetii;
- Cotoneaster lucidus;
- cottoneaster adpressus;
- Cotoneaster congestus;
- Cotoneaster divaricatus;
- etc.
The 5 points to remember about the cottoneaster
- The Cotoneaster can be used as a hedge, as an isolated subject, but also as a ground cover, both in the ground and in a container.
- When choosing your shrub, remember to check whether the foliage is evergreen or deciduous. The advantage of species with evergreen foliage is that they provide year-round interest.
- Easy to maintain, this plant adapts to different exposures and all types of soil, provided that it is perfectly drained.
- The fruiting of these shrubs allows birds to feed and take shelter during the bad season, while their very melliferous flowering is a delight for many insects.
- Because it is hardy, it can be grown in all regions of France.