Cotoneaster: description of species, features of planting and care. Deciduous species of cotoneaster

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) is a non-thorny shrub plant or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Many types of culture have decorative appearance and are used when decorating the local area.

Of course, despite a certain similarity in the names of the two plants, there are tangible differences, and the most important difference is that dogwood berries are edible, but cotoneaster fruits that appear in the fall are not always edible. Dogwood is fruit tree, and many varieties of cotoneasters are represented by ornamental shrubs used in landscape design.

How to plant cotoneaster (video)

Botanical description and places of growth of cotoneaster

Deciduous or evergreen, slow-growing shrub with medium-sized, simple, alternate, entire, ovate-shaped leaves. In summer, the foliage is dark green in color, and in autumn it turns red.

The flowers are white or pink, small in size, solitary, collected in corymbs or racemes. Red-fruited or black-fruited cotoneaster is an original ornamental crop, in natural conditions growing in Eurasia and North Africa.

Cotoneaster is a non-thorny shrub plant or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family

Gallery: cotoneaster (25 photos)

Characteristics of the main types of cotoneaster

Almost all types are undemanding to soils and moisture levels, are characterized by frost resistance and gas resistance, and are also easy to mold. Two species are classified as conservation species.

Cotoneaster aronia

С.melanocarpus is popular in the middle zone of our country due to its sufficient winter hardiness. The height of the above-ground part does not exceed a couple of meters. The branches are brown with a reddish tint. The foliage is ovoid, green at the top and whitish below. Inflorescences are racemose, pink in color . After flowering, edible black fruits are formed.

Cotoneaster aronia

Cotoneaster pressed

C.addressus – stunted look no more than half a meter high with a crown diameter of one meter. The branches have a creeping appearance. The foliage is relatively small, oh round shape, light green in summer and scarlet in autumn. Slow growing variety reaches full height by the tenth year of life.

Cotoneaster pressed

Cotoneaster horizontal

С.horizontalis is an evergreen shrub plant no more than one meter high with a crown up to a couple of meters wide. The foliage is round in shape, with a glossy surface, green in summer and bright red in autumn. Flowering early, small whitish pink flowers, after which bright red fruits are formed. Popular low-growing variety Variegatus is up to 25-30 cm high with a crown up to one and a half meters in diameter. There is a white stripe on the green foliage.

Cotoneaster horizontal

Common cotoneaster

C. integerrimus - grows under natural conditions on mountain slopes, as well as sandy and calcareous soils. The height of the above-ground part is two meters. Young branches have fleecy pubescence, while mature branches are bare. The bush has a compact rounded crown with broadly ovate foliage. External side Leaves are dark green in color and glossy. Interior gray, rough. Racemose inflorescences are represented by white-pink flowers. Varietal feature is drought and frost resistant.

Common cotoneaster

Cotoneaster brilliant

С.lucidus – East Siberian species, represented by an upright-growing deciduous shrub, densely covered with leaves. The above-ground part is no more than three meters high. Young branches are grayish-brown, pubescent. Late autumn period the stems become reddish-brown in color. The foliage is irregularly elliptical, dark green in summer and slightly reddish in autumn.

Cotoneaster brilliant

Dummer cotoneaster

C.dammerii is a creeping type, evergreen variety, undemanding to soil, long-lived and drought-resistant. Widely used for decorating parks and squares, as well as in the landscape design of the local area.

Dummer cotoneaster

Cotoneaster vesica

C.bullatus is a deciduous shrub with a height of the above-ground part of no more than three meters. It has very characteristic dark green, glossy, wrinkled foliage. In autumn, the leaves acquire a highly decorative bright red color. The plant is characterized by insufficient winter hardiness for many regions, therefore, in particularly frosty winters it can freeze to the point of snow cover.

Cotoneaster vesica

Cotoneaster splayed

C.divaricatus is a deciduous shrub plant, no more than a meter high, with a dense crown and obovate or rounded foliage. The leaf blade is dense and shiny. Very decorative variety prefers light and fertile loams for growth and development, as well as maximally open, well-warmed areas by the sun.

Cotoneaster splayed

Hybrid cotoneaster

"Coral Beauty" - decorative and low-growing deciduous shrub, having partially creeping and partially arched, highly branched shoots. The height of the aboveground part of an adult plant does not exceed half a meter with a crown width of up to one and a half meters. The foliage is numerous, small, oval, dark green and shiny in summer, and red or reddish-purple in autumn. The flowers are small, white, and have five petals.

Hybrid cotoneaster

Cotoneaster

C. salicifolius is a variable, evergreen shrub plant up to 4-5 m high with curved branches and lanceolate-elliptical, oblong-elliptic, acute or pointed foliage with a wedge-shaped base. Flowers white coloring. After flowering, round, bright red fruits are formed.

Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster entire

C.integerrimus - with erect stems up to two meters high with young pubescent shoots. The foliage is broadly ovate or rounded, with a blunt or sharp tip, and a rounded base. The upper side of the leaves is bare, dark green, matte, and the lower side is covered with whitish or grayish felt pubescence. Flowers in corymbose racemes, pinkish in color.

Cotoneaster entire

Other varieties of cotoneaster

Domestic and foreign amateur gardeners are also well aware of others, very decorative types of deciduous shrubs:

• holly (C.acutifolius);
• close (C.affinis);
• Alauan (C.alauniсus);
• low content (C. bacillaris);
• boxwood (C.buхifolius);
• Cooper (C. cooreri);
• woolen (C.flossosus);
• cellular (C.foveolatus);
• Franchetti (C.franchetii);
• cold (C. frigidus);
• Granadian (C.granatensis);
• Henry (C.henryаnus);
• Hjelmqvist (C.hjelmqvistii);
• Hammel (C. hummelii);
• Karatavian (S.karatavicus);
• milky white (C.lasteus);
• Lancaster (C.lancasteri);
• Meyer (C.meyeri);
• Mongolian (C.mongolicus);
• membranous (C.pannosus);
• Parker (C. parkeri);
• racemosa (C. racemiflorus);
• multi-flowered (C.multiflorus).

Very original is the creeping species Nanshan (C.nanshan), no more than half a meter high with dark green or reddish foliage and pink flowers.

Cotoneaster nan-shan

Options for using cotoneaster in garden decoration

Thanks to its very beautiful and original foliage, the plant is popular in garden decoration. Among other things, the crown is perfectly formed. If desired, you can independently, by pruning, form a rounded bush, as well as a hemispherical or cushion-shaped crown. The culture is perfect for decorating rocky gardens, looks original in mixed groups with conifers and decorative deciduous shrubs or flowering perennials. Can be used to decorate borders.

Choosing a place in the garden and planting technology

Many species are quite unpretentious crops, undemanding to conditions, including soil fertility and moisture. It takes root well on different types of soil, mountain rocky and calcareous soils. It is not recommended to plant in areas with heavy and clayey, acidic, swampy and saline soils. Loamy soil or soil mixture based turf land And river sand, with the addition of humus or peat compost.

IN open ground seedlings are planted in spring, after the soil has thawed, but the buds on the plant have not yet opened. The dimensions of the planting hole should be approximately 50x50x50cm. Required condition correct landing is the use of drainage based on broken bricks or gravel. The distance between planted seedlings may vary depending on species features. When forming a hedge, planting is carried out not in planting holes, but in pre-prepared trenches.

How to prune cotoneaster (video)

Features of caring for cotoneaster

The culture is unpretentious, but responsive to care, which includes the main activities represented by irrigation, fertilization, timely pruning and proper preparation for wintering.

Watering

Irrigation measures are necessary ornamental plant during particularly hot periods in the absence of precipitation. It is advisable to carry out watering through irrigation grooves specially made in the tree trunk circles. After watering, shallow loosening of the soil and removal of weeds is carried out.

Top dressing

In the early spring period the crop is fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which can be considered urea, diluted in an amount of 25 g per bucket of water. Also The Kemira-universal granular fertilizer has proven itself well. During the mass flowering phase, 15 g of potassium and 60 g of superphosphate are added per square meter.

In early spring, cotoneaster is fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers

Trimming

Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the entire growing season, and the crown needs to be formed and rejuvenated in the spring, before the buds open. . During the process of sanitary pruning, thickening, old or damaged branches are always removed. Pruning should only be done with well-sharpened and disinfected garden tools.

Preparing for winter

The highly decorative crop has sufficient frost resistance, so it does not require special preparation for winter period. However, in harsh winters it is recommended to mulch the soil under the bushes with peat, dry leaves or spruce branches, then bend the branches and cover them with a covering breathable material.

Sanitary pruning can be performed throughout the entire growing season

Methods for propagating cotoneaster

Even novice amateur gardeners can propagate decorative perennials on their own. There are several quite accessible and simple ways reproduction.

Dividing the bush

Bush division is one of the most convenient and simplest methods of propagation. You can divide the bush in both spring and autumn. For this purpose, the plant is carefully dug up, after which the root system is carefully cleared of adhering soil, inspected and divided into several parts with pruning shears. Each new bush should have well-developed roots. The resulting cuttings are planted in a previously prepared place, and the root collar is located at the same level with the ground when planting.

Bush division is one of the most convenient and simplest ways to propagate cotoneaster.

By layering

In the fall, you need to select the shoots of the current year, which are attached to the surface using metal brackets. The place of fixation is sprinkled with high-quality humus on top. In the spring, rooted cuttings are carefully dug up, separated from the parent bush and planted in a permanent place.

Cuttings

The cutting method is used if necessary to obtain immediately a large number of planting material. It is best to take cuttings in June. The cuttings are placed in water with a growth stimulator for about a day. The cuttings prepared in this way are planted in a permanent place in loose and fairly light soil at an angle of 45°. It is imperative to cover the planted cuttings to create a greenhouse effect.

Root shoots

Some species form sufficient quantity shoots, which can well be used for propagating decorative perennials. Young plants are carefully dug up and then transplanted to a separate place. In the first days after transplantation, it is advisable to shade the young plantings from the scorching rays of the sun.

Some types of cotoneaster produce a sufficient amount of shoots, which can be used for propagation of decorative perennials

Seeds

Fruit-forming ornamental shrub can be propagated seed material, but this option is very labor-intensive, which is explained by very low seed germination rates. The collected berries are slightly dried and then kneaded, after which the seed material is removed, washed and placed for annual stratification. Such seeds can be planted only after a year, in nutritious and fertile soil.

Diseases and pests of shrubs

Cotoneaster in garden decor (video)

The destruction of insect pests is carried out by treatment with herbal decoctions based on shag and tobacco, with the addition of yarrow. In case of mass damage, chemical insecticides are used. Against pathogenic microflora, including fusarium, severe pruning is used with mandatory subsequent treatment with fungicides.

Estimate

Plants belonging to the genus Cotoneaster are extremely diverse. However, all of them are characterized by sessile leaves, small white or pale pink five-membered, usually fragrant flowers and elegant red fruits that appear in August. There are both low-growing and tall species of cotoneaster.

Cotoneaster appressed is a cushion-shaped deciduous shrub about 0.2 meters high and up to 1 meter wide.

Dummer's cotoneaster is an evergreen, creeping shrub, represented by a number of dwarf varieties, the height of which ranges from 0.2-1 meter and the width is 0.2-3 meters.

Horizontal cotoneaster is evergreen shrub, growing in regions with mild climates, reaching 1.5 meters in height and 3 meters in width. Distinctive feature of this species are fern-like side shoots, which together with the trunk form something like a fish skeleton. In place of white flowers, characteristic fruits are formed.

Early cotoneaster is a deciduous cotoneaster with a hemispherical crown and shoots up to 1 meter long.

Cotoneaster multiflora is a deciduous shrub, reaching a height of 3-4 meters, on the drooping shoots of which spectacular white semi-umbrella inflorescences are formed.

Cotoneaster willow - reaches up to 5 meters in height. The white flowers of the shrub are collected in corymbose inflorescences. The fruits remain on the plant until spring. Based on this species, low-growing varieties were obtained.

Cotoneaster Waterera is a plant 2-4 meters high with large white flowers in corymbose inflorescences. This evergreen shrub needs winter protection.

Cotoneaster is not picky about soil conditions, so it is often used for landscaping unsightly areas.

Low-growing varieties and species of cotoneaster are wonderful cotoneasters that are suitable for growing on slopes, the tops of stone walls, as well as among other shrubs and even in pots.

Tall species of cotoneaster form loose thickets and free-standing hedges. Lush-flowering species can be grown as single plants.

Feel free to plant crocuses and daffodils that bloom in spring next to the cotoneaster. Low-growing cotoneaster looks good next to low-growing conifers, for example, yew and gray spruce. But tall species and shrubs, in particular Mahonia holly (yellow flowers in April, blue berries from August) and Thunberg barberry (yellow flowers in May, coral-red berries from September), form spectacular light thickets.

It's time to buy seedlings in spring or autumn. They should be strong, healthy and branchy. The main thing is that they are in containers. You should not buy weakened cotoneaster seedlings or specimens whose roots poke out of the container. You will have to find a place that is sunny or semi-shaded. Cotoneaster prefers partially shaded places, but bears fruit abundantly only when good lighting. The soil can be of any type, from slightly acidic to alkaline. Cotoneaster is undemanding to soil conditions, and for you and me this is a big plus.

Cotoneaster can also be propagated by seeds. Grown in pots, matured seedlings can be planted in open ground. I recommend pruning bushes that are too tall. We regularly shorten the side branches of plants. Among the diseases, cotoneaster is sometimes attacked by scale insects, whose convex dorsal scutes are visible to the naked eye. Insects feed on plant juices. In case of mass damage, spray with a preparation based on paraffin oil.

Since the time of purchase is spring or autumn, the planting time is correspondingly the same. We will need to dig a hole, the volume of which should be twice the volume of the seedling's earthen ball. Water the cotoneaster seedling before planting. Remove the plant from the pot and slightly straighten the tangled roots. We plant the cotoneaster at the same depth as it grew in the pot. Pour some enriched soil into the hole. Fill the hole with soil-compost mixture, carefully compact the surface and water the plant generously. We mulch the planting site with bark, which helps retain moisture in the soil and prevents weeds from growing.

As for cotoneaster fruits, they are POISONOUS and are not used as food by humans, but they are a real delicacy for birds. In my opinion, this plant can and should be planted in gardens. To begin with, cotoneaster can be used to disguise unsightly places in gardens (compost pits or annoying neighbors); the berries also attract birds, which means that these feathered friends will also destroy other pests. Good luck to you.

Name: comes from the Greek "cotonea" - quince, "aster" - having the appearance of similarity between the leaves of quince and one of the types of cotoneaster.

Description: deciduous or evergreen, densely branched shrubs, very often found in the landscaping of cities in the European part of Russia, especially in low hedges. The leaves are medium-sized, simple, alternate, entire, ovate, dark green in summer, turning red in autumn. The flowers are white or pink, small, in corymbs, racemes or solitary. The fruits are small, red or black. They grow slowly. In a permanent place they live for a long time, more than 50 years. They tolerate transplants and city conditions well. The genus contains about 40 species.

The main attractiveness of cotoneasters is the combination of strong branching, original foliage and a variety of growth forms (from erect to creeping). Small white or pink flowers are not very decorative, but are good honey plants. The dense crown of dark green shiny leaves that turn red in the fall is prized. These shrubs are simply irreplaceable when arranging hedges because they are easy to form, retain their shape for a long time and can be transplanted at any time of the season. In addition, at the end of summer, their decorative effect is enhanced by the abundance of bright red or black fruits that hang on the branches for a long time. The fruits are not poisonous and attract birds.

Cotoneaster amoenus
Photo by Marina Shimanskaya

Cotoneasters are frost-resistant and drought-resistant. They develop well in urban conditions, as they are dust and gas resistant and have little demands on soil fertility and moisture. They grow well in both light and shade. They are propagated by seeds, which necessarily require stratification, as well as by layering, cuttings and grafting. They can be used as pear rootstock. Some species are sometimes damaged by green apple aphids, apple white moths, scale insects, sawflies, and cotoneaster mites.

Three species - brilliant cotoneaster, chokeberry and whole-edged cotoneaster - have high winter hardiness and are especially resistant to the vagaries of weather in central Russia.

Cotoneaster brilliant-WITH. lucidus Schlecht. The homeland of this species is Eastern Siberia. Grows singly or in groups in bushes. Light-loving mesophyte, microtherm, mesotroph, assectator of shrub groups and, less often, undergrowth of light-coniferous forests. Everywhere in culture. Densely leafy, upright, deciduous shrub, up to 2 m tall, with densely pubescent young shoots. Elliptical leaves are pointed, up to 5 cm long, shiny, dark green, purple in autumn. Pink flowers are collected in loose, 3-8-flowered, corymbose inflorescences. Blooms in May - June for 30 days. Decorative, almost spherical, black, shiny fruits, with brown-red, tasteless pulp, remain on the bushes until late autumn. Fruits from the age of 4 years. In GBS since 1938, 6 samples (15 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from various botanical gardens. At 27 years of age, the height is 2.0 m, crown diameter is 380 cm. It grows from 25.IV ± 3 to 9.X ± 8 for 166 days. The growth rate is average. Blooms from 5.VI ± 12 to 10.VI ± 2 for 5 days. It bears fruit from 3-5 years, the fruits ripen on 29.IX ± 17. Seed germination is 14%. 52% of cuttings take root when treated with a 0.005% IBA solution for 16 hours. Widely used in landscaping in Moscow. Winter-hardy, unpretentious to soils, shade-tolerant. Propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Seeds require 12-15 months of stratification, which can be shortened by treating them with sulfuric acid for 5-20 minutes, followed by stratification for 1-3 months. Seed sowing rate 5 g/sq.m. m. One of best shrubs for creating hedges formed by pruning, as well as for group planting on lawns, edges, and as undergrowth. Suitable for landscaping cities throughout almost the entire territory of Russia. In culture since the beginning of the 19th century. Photo by Alexandra Shcherbakova, Garden Collection company

Cotoneaster aronia- S. melanocarpus Fisch. ex Btytt It has good winter hardiness in central Russia. In the wild it grows quite widely from Central Europe to Northern China, including the Caucasus and Central Asia, in light forests and along mountain slopes, rising to the subalpine zone. It grows in the shrub layer of different types of forests and participates in the creation of shrub thickets on screes and rocks. Light-loving mesophyte, microtherm, mesotroph, assectator of undergrowth of bushes. Protected in nature reserves. This shrub, up to 2 m high, with red-brown shoots, like the previous species, has black fruits, but differs in leaf shape. Ovate leaves 4.5 cm long, dark green above, white-tomentose below, with a blunt or notched apex. Starting from the age of 5, it blooms and bears fruit annually. Flowering lasts almost 25 days, pink flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, 5~12 pieces per shoot, forming loose clusters. The spherical fruits, ripening in September-October, gradually turn from brown to black with a bluish coating. In GBS since 1940, 4 samples (9 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from various botanical gardens and GBS reproduction plants. At 51 years old, height is 2.5 m, crown diameter is 180 cm. It grows from 24.IV ± 6 to 21.IX ± 9 for 149 days. The growth rate is average. Blooms from 3 years, from 25.V ± 6 to 17.VI ± 4 for 23 days. It bears fruit from 3-5 years, the fruits ripen 30.VII ± 4. Seed viability is 80%. Cuttings root poorly. Recommended for landscaping in Moscow. Frost-resistant species, not demanding on soil and moisture, grows well in shaded areas and in urban environments. It easily tolerates transplantation and is propagated by cuttings and seeds. In cultivation since 1829, it is used in hedges, less often - in single and group plantings. There is a known decorative form (f. laxiflora) with loosely flowered drooping inflorescences and larger leaves. In addition to decorative purposes, this species is a good honey plant, and its hard wood serves as material for canes, pipes and other crafts. In culture since 1829. Photo by EDSR.

Cotoneaster entire, or ordinary - S. integerrimus Medik. In nature, it can be found from the Baltic states in the north to the North Caucasus in the south. It grows on mountain slopes and screes, on outcrops of sandstones, shale and limestone. Light-loving xeromesophyte, microtherm, mesotroph, assectator of shrub thickets. Protected in nature reserves. Rarely in culture. An upright, highly branched, deciduous shrub up to 2 m tall, with a rounded crown. Young shoots with woolly drooping, later glabrous. Broadly ovate, up to 5 cm, leaves, dark green above, shiny, smooth, gray-felt below. The flowers are pinkish-whitish in 2-4-flowered drooping racemes. The fruits are bright red, up to 1 cm in diameter. In GBS since 1939, 3 samples (9 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from botanical gardens and reproductions of GBS. At 30 years old, the height is 1.1 m, crown diameter is 140 cm. It grows from 28.IV ± 6 to 6.IX ± 27 for 131 days. The growth rate is average. Blooms from 23.V ± 9 to 14.VI ± 10 for 22 days. The fruits ripen 2.VIII ± 24. Seed germination is 21%. 58% of cuttings take root when treated with a 0.01% IBA solution for 16 hours. It is recommended for landscaping in Moscow when creating decorative groups and hedges. Undemanding to soil, grows well on calcareous soils. It is characterized by high winter hardiness. Grows better in sunny places, drought- and gas-resistant. It is especially effective in fruits that remain until late autumn. Used for planting in groups, hedges, edges, in cities in the northern and central regions of Russia. In culture since 1656. Photo by EDSR.

The following species - multifloral cotoneaster, racemosa and pink - are more demanding in choosing a place; in very harsh winters they can partially freeze, but they are saved from death by their high ability to regenerate.

Cotoneaster multiflorum-WITH. multiflorus Bge. It is found naturally in the Caucasus, Central Asia and Western Siberia, and Western China. It grows singly or in small groups in forests, as well as in bush thickets. Light-loving mesophyte, micromesotherm, mesotroph, assectator of undergrowth of bushes. Protected in nature reserves. Found in culture in botanical gardens Europe. Semi-evergreen shrub up to 3 m tall, with thin, tomentose, curved branches when young. Broadly ovate leaves up to 5 cm long, silver-gray in spring, dark green in summer, purple-red in autumn. Less frost-hardy than brilliant cotoneaster. Quite large white flowers (up to 1 cm), similar in shape to serviceberry flowers, are collected in 6 - 20 corymbose inflorescences and make it very spectacular during the flowering period lasting from 16 to 25 days. Bright red, abundant, spherical fruits enhance its decorative value in autumn. Fruits from 5 to 6 years of age. The fruits ripen in August. In GBS since 1941, 1 sample (3 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from natural habitats. At 25 years old, the height is 2.3 m, the crown diameter is 230 cm. It grows from 28.IV ± 11 to 16.X ± 11 for 170 days. The growth rate is average. Blooms from 4.VI ± 5 to 13.VI ± 5 for 9 days. It bears fruit from the age of 4, the fruits ripen 29.VIII ± 9. Seed viability is 90%. 80% of cuttings take root (without treatment). Frost-resistant and drought-resistant. For successful development it needs fertile and lime-rich soil. Propagated by seeds. The seed sowing rate is 4 - 6 g per meter. Very good in single and edge plantings. Since 1879, it has been widespread throughout the European part of Russia. It has a beautifully fruited form (f. calicarpa) - with narrower and longer leaves than the typical form and larger, up to 1 cm, abundant fruits. Photo by Kirill Kravchenko

Cotoneaster- Cotoneaster racemiflorus It is promising for central Russia. It is less known in culture than previous species. This is a shrub up to 3 m high, with medium-sized bluish-green leaves. Young shoots and leaves are covered with thick white-tomentose pubescence on the underside. Small white-pink flowers are collected in inflorescences of 7-12 pieces, covering the entire bush in May. The first flowering occurs at 4 years of age. In August, when numerous elliptical or spherical bright red fruits ripen, the shrub becomes even more elegant. The fruits do not fall after leaf fall and hang on the bush until the first snow.

Pink cotoneaster- S. roseus Edgew. Homeland - northwestern Himalayas. Grows on mountain slopes. Mesoxerophyte, mesotroph, micromesotherm. Very rare in culture decorative look. A shrub up to 1.5 m high with thin shoots, elliptical leaves up to 6 cm long and small pink flowers collected in inflorescences of 9 pieces. It blooms for the first time at the age of 8. It blooms profusely in June for 3-4 weeks, but does not bear fruit every year. In October, 2-3 seeds ripen in round pink-red fruits with a diameter of up to 6 mm. It is very decorative during flowering (in June) and especially in autumn with fruits that, ripening at the end of September, decorate the plants until lasting frosts. In GBS since 1953, 2 samples (5 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from Kamyshin and reproductions of GBS. At 39 years old, the height is 1.75 m, crown diameter is 210 cm. It grows from mid-April to the end of October. The growth rate is average. Blooms in June. It bears fruit from the age of 6, the fruits ripen in early October. 20% of cuttings take root (without treatment). Propagated by seeds and green cuttings. Less winter-hardy than brilliant cotoneaster; During severe frosts, the tops of the shoots freeze. Requires sanitary pruning annually. Photophilous, resistant to diseases and pests. Recommended for decorative groups and solitary plantings.

All other types of cotoneasters are even more whimsical and are damaged by frosts in central Russia, if they are not covered with snow in snowless winters. But they winter well under the snow and do not freeze above the snow cover, and they also have a high regenerative ability.

Cotoneaster one-flowered- Cotoneaster uniflorus Bunge Grows in the mountain forests of the Urals, Altai and Western Sayans. Grows on rocky slopes as part of bush thickets. Light-loving psychrophyte-petrophyte, facultative calcephyte, hexistomicrotherm, occasionally assectator of the shrub layer. Protected in nature reserves. It is low (about 50 cm), spreading, and in harsh conditions it acquires a creeping growth form. The leaves are up to 3 cm long, dark green above, yellowish below. In autumn the leaves turn bright red. Flowering in the culture occurs in the 8th year. Single flowers are located in the axils of the leaves, which is why it is called single-flowered. The fruits are bright, orange-red, spherical in shape. This species is rarely found in culture. For cultivation, select places protected from cold winds. Does not tolerate drought well and is bright sunlight. Recommended for planting in borders. In GBS since 1954, 1 sample (2 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from natural habitats. At 22 years old, the height is 0.3 m, the crown diameter is 100 cm. It grows from the end of April to the end of September. The growth rate is average. Blooms in May-June. It bears fruit from 4-5 years, the fruits ripen at the end of July. Winter hardiness is average. Seed viability is 100%. 18% of cuttings take root when treated with a 0.01% IBA solution for 16 hours.

Cotoneaster pressed- S. adpressus Bois. Found naturally in the western regions of China. It received this name due to its prostrate growth form and shoots pressed to the ground. Individual branches are capable of rooting. A low-growing, creeping shrub, with small, up to 1.5 cm long, dull green leaves, on branches rising above the ground. During flowering, it is decorated with numerous pink flowers; in autumn, the crown is colored with spots of bright red fruits. The shrub blooms and bears fruit from the age of 9. Propagated by seeds and layering. Known garden form“Early” (var. praecox). In GBS since 1951, 1 sample (2 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from Europe. At 6 years, height is 0.4 m, crown diameter is 43 cm. It grows from the second ten days of April until the end of October and beginning of November. The growth rate is average. Blooms in early June. It bears fruit from the age of 4, the fruits ripen in late September-early October. Seed germination is average. Very effective in single and group plantings on rocky hills. Recommended for the southern and western regions of the European part of Russia. In culture since 1896. Stable, but overwinters only under snow. Photo by EDSR.

Cotoneaster horizontal- C. horizontalis Decne Originally from Central China. Grows on mountain slopes. Widely distributed in culture both in the collections of botanical gardens and in the landscaping of European cities, North America and East Asia. The name of the species indicates the nature of its growth. This is an evergreen shrub up to 50 cm high, with horizontally outstretched, almost pressed to the ground, pinnately branched shoots located in the same plane. Its small, almost round, up to 1.5 cm, dark green leaves, purple in autumn, are remarkable. The flowers are single or paired, sessile, with pinkish-reddish petals. It blooms from late May to mid-June, for three weeks. The fruits are spherical with a diameter of 4-5 mm, bright red, shiny, ripen in September and remain en masse until December, in the lower part of the bush - even until the spring of next year, giving the plants a special decorative appearance. In GBS since 1946, 5 samples (9 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from botanical gardens in Europe and the USA. At 40 years old, the height is 0.4 m, crown diameter is 95 cm. It grows in the second half of May. The growth rate is average. Blooms from the second half of May to early July. The fruits ripen at the end of September. Seed germination rate is 15%. 100% of cuttings root when treated with a 0.01% IBA solution for 16 hours. Drought and gas resistant. This species is demanding on soil fertility. It grows quickly and expands greatly, the crown diameter is more than 1 m. It is light-loving. One of the most elegant views. First introduced into culture in 1880. Widely used in the southern half of European Russia. In the north it freezes, but near St. Petersburg it winters under snow, with light shelter. An excellent ground cover plant, including for rocky gardens, for strengthening slopes, and cascade (terrace) landscaping. In the photo on the left is Cotoneaster horizontalis f. "Variegatus"(C. atropurpureus "Variegatus"). This prostrate, up to 30 cm tall and more than 1.5 m in diameter (after 5 years of cultivation) evergreen shrub is especially beautiful in the fall, when the small leaves turn red, pink with a cream edge. Each leaf (1.5 cm long) with a white stripe along the edge. Decorative bright red shiny round fruits. "Perpusillus". A prostrate shrub 15-20 cm tall covers an area up to 0.5-1 m in diameter. It grows quite slowly. It blooms with pink flowers in early summer. At the end of summer, scarlet berries appear. In autumn, the dark green leaves acquire a purple tint and the bush looks very beautiful.

Dummer cotoneaster-WITH. dammerii C.K. Schneid. More stable in temperate climates, similar in appearance to the previous species. It grows wild in the mountains of Central China. The creeping shoots of the bush are almost pressed to the ground and partially take root. They branch in one plane, rising only 20-30 cm, and grow to the sides at a distance of up to 1.5 m. Dark green leathery leaves with a blunt apex are similar to evergreens and do not fall off for a long time. The leaves are very small, elliptical, up to 2 cm long. Small reddish flowers sitting on branches are good. In September, the shiny foliage is very well combined with ripening and long-lasting numerous coral-red fruits with a diameter of up to 6 mm, closely located on the shoots. In late autumn, the plant becomes even more colorful with bright fruits and purple leaves. In GBS since 1952, 3 samples (15 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from the Botanical Garden of Bratislava (Slovakia) and reproductions of GBS. At 19 years of age, the length of creeping shoots reaches 1.2 m. It grows from the end of April until the first frost. The growth rate is average. Blooms from the second half of June to early July. It bears fruit from the age of 7, the fruits ripen at the end of September. Winters under the snow. Seed germination is average. 97% of cuttings take root when treated with phyton for 16 hours. Dummer's cotoneaster propagates by seeds, layering and cuttings. It is drought-resistant, winters under snow and does not freeze. Grows well in light rocky, poor sandy soil. Prefers a sunny position, but also tolerates light shade. It grows quickly. Drought resistant. Known in cultivation since 1900. The characteristic habit and the way shoots grow make this shrub indispensable for alpine slides and arrangement of retaining walls. Varieties: "Coral Beauty" - 40-60 cm high with orange-red fruits. "Eichholz" - 20-40 cm high with single, large, red fruits. The most frost-resistant variety. "Stogholm" - 80-100 cm high with bright red fruits. "Steib's Findling" - see photo on the right. Photo on the left of Natalia Pavlova Photo on the right of Dubova Galina

Henry's cotoneaster-WITH. henryanus Rehd et Wits. Homeland Western China. Representative of the group of evergreen cotoneasters. The shrub, reaching 5 m in height, has a beautiful, tent-shaped crown and long curved shoots. The leaves are oblong, up to 12 cm long, dark green above, shiny, initially grayish-tomentose below, later grayish-green. White, fragrant flowers up to 1 cm with purple anthers are collected in stitch-shaped inflorescences. Dark carmine, colorful fruits adorn the plants in the fall. Grows quickly. One of the most beautiful views. Decorative all year round - with a tent-shaped crown, dark green shiny foliage, against which in the fall the old leaves stand out beautifully, taking on an orange color before falling. Effective during flowering. Used in single and group plantings in the south of Russia. In culture since 1901.

Cotoneaster vesica- S. bullatus Bois East Asia. Introduced in 1898 Deciduous shrub up to 3 m in height. It got its name from its dark green glossy leaves that give the impression of being wrinkled. In autumn, before the leaves fall, they turn bright red. Numerous light red spherical apples hang in clusters from the branches on long petioles. The plant is winter-hardy down to -23 degrees, so it often freezes to the level of snow cover. In GBS since 1949, 4 samples (15 copies) were grown from GBS reproduction seeds (mother samples fell out of the collection). At 19 years old, the height is 1.6 m, the crown diameter is 110 cm. It grows from mid-April-early May to the end of October-early November. The growth rate is average. Blooms from June to early August. It bears fruit from the age of 5, the fruits ripen at the end of September. Winter hardiness is low. 50% of cuttings take root when treated with phyton for 16 hours. Photo from the book "Flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees in our garden" by Karin Greiner, Angelika Weber

Location: They develop better in areas with full light, but can also tolerate partial shade.

The soil: They are undemanding to soil fertility and moisture. However, the following soil composition is recommended: turf soil, peat compost, sand in a ratio of 2:1:2. Multiflorous cotoneaster needs lime 300 g/m2. m.

Landing: the distance between plants is 0.5 - 2 m, depending on the diameter of the crown of an adult plant. Planting depth 50 - 70 cm: root collar at ground level. Drainage is required (gravel or broken brick, 10-20 cm layer).

Care: in the spring they make a full mineral fertilizer: Kemiru-station wagon at the rate of 100 - 120 g per 1 sq. m or 20 -30 g of urea per 10 liters of water. In the summer, before flowering, give granular superphosphate 60 g/m2. mi 10 - 15 g/sq. m potassium sulfate. Many types of cotoneaster are drought-resistant and do not require watering, or it is only needed in very dry summers, 1-2 times a month, 8 liters of water per plant. Loosening is carried out shallow (10 - 15 cm) after removing the weeds. After planting the seedlings, they mulch with peat, a layer of 5-8 cm. Cotoneasters can be successfully trimmed to shape, and dense hedges of medium height are formed. After pruning, they grow back strongly, maintaining their growth form. It is allowed to trim 1/3 of the length of the annual shoot. Cotoneasters overwinter with light cover with a dry leaf or peat layer of 3 - 6 cm or under snow. Sometimes in winter the branches are bent to the ground to protect the flower buds from frost.

Protection from pests and diseases: Fusarium. The affected parts of the plants are removed and burned. Disinfect the soil or change the planting site if the disease spreads strongly. WITH yellow bear fight by spraying with any of the organophosphorus insecticides. Against aphids - early spring spraying with DNOC or nitrafen. The larvae are sprayed with karbofos, metafos, rogor, saifos. If necessary, spraying is repeated. Herbal infusions include black henbane, tall larkspur, potato tops, yarrow, shag, etc. Against moths after flowering and in the summer, spray with: amifos, karbofos (0.1 - 0.4%) or rogor (0.2%). The most effective are fozalon (0.2%) or gardon (0.1-0.35%). During flowering, entobacterin is used, applying two or three times with an interval of 12-14 days.

Reproduction: seeds, layering, cuttings, grafting. Seeds, as a rule, have very low germination (40 - 60%). When washed, defective seeds float to the surface and must be discarded. The remaining seeds should be sown and remember that they have a long dormant period and are very difficult to germinate. They need to be stratified and sown in the fall of next year.

When propagated by green cuttings, a high percentage of rooting is obtained when the cuttings are covered with film. Best term for cuttings - the second half of July. The substrate consists of a mixture of peat and sand, taken in equal quantities.

Usage: very valuable ornamental shrubs due to their dense crown, shiny dark green leaves and numerous bright fruits that remain on the branches for a long time. Recommended for edges, groups, single plantings on the lawn, borders and dense hedges. Some species are used to form undergrowth, on rocky hills and slopes.

- a low deciduous plant valued for its decorative appearance. The foliage of this evergreen shrub turns from green to red in late autumn. The shrub is actively used in landscape design, arranging it in various compositions.

Common cotoneaster (Cotoneaster integerrimus)

Common cotoneaster distributed from the Baltic states to the North Caucasus, in natural conditions grows on mountain slopes, sandy and limestone-rich soils. It is a rare guest in garden culture.

The height of the common cotoneaster reaches 2 meters, the young branches are pubescent, but then, as they grow older, they become bare. The bush has a compact round crown. The leaves are wide, egg-shaped, leaf length is about 5 cm.

The outer side of the leaf blade is dark green, glossy, and the inner side is gray and rough. White-pink flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. Bright red ripen in autumn large fruits.This variety is resistant to drought and frost.

Cotoneaster lucidus

Motherland cotoneaster brilliant- Eastern Siberia. This upright, deciduous shrub is densely covered with lush foliage. Cotoneaster grows up to 3 m in height. Young branches are gray-brown in color at the edge; in winter the stems acquire a red-brown color; with age, the branches get rid of lint.

The crown of young bushes grows slightly elongated, and as it matures it takes on a round shape. Cotoneaster is a rather spreading bush, the diameter of the crown of an adult plant is up to 3 m. The length of the leaves is from 2-6 cm, width is 1-4 cm.

Leaves in the shape of an irregular ellipse are dark in summer. Green colour with yellowish inside, and in winter they take on a reddish tint. The flowering of the bush begins in May and lasts about a month.

The bush begins to bear fruit at the age of 4 years. It has beautiful, glossy black ball-shaped fruits. Most often, shrubs are used for planting hedges or borders. Cotoneaster brilliant has been known and cultivated since the beginning of the 19th century.

Cotoneaster horizontalis

This plant belongs to the prostrate species of cotoneaster. An evergreen shrub up to a meter high, its crown grows up to 2 m in diameter. The arrangement of its strong branches resembles the backbone of a fish.

The leaves of the shrub are round, glossy, green in summer, bright red in autumn. Flowering begins in May, small white and pink flowers delight the eye for 22 days. The bright red fruits ripen in September and remain on the branches until spring.

Horizontal cotoneaster is presented in two types:

• Variegatus- a low shrub up to 30 cm, with a crown growing up to 1.5 m in diameter. On the green leaves of the bush there is a white stripe along the edge;
• Perpusillis– a dwarf plant (up to 20 cm), as the crown grows it grows up to a meter. The slow-growing bush blooms with pink flowers in June. At the end of summer, Perpusillis is covered with scarlet berries. The leaves are green in summer and turn burgundy in autumn.

Dammer's cotoneaster (Cotoneaster dammeri)

Dummer cotoneaster looks similar to the previous, horizontal view. It grows naturally in the mountainous areas of China. This shrub has branches that creep along the ground, which allows it to reproduce spontaneously.

The shoots branch in one plane and grow in diameter, not rising above 30 cm. The leaves of Dummer's cotoneaster are dense and small, the shape of the leaves is ellipsoidal. In autumn, like many cotoneasters, the plant changes the green color of its leaves to red.

It blooms with red inflorescences and subsequently bears fruit with coral-colored berries. Cotoneaster fruits can stay on the branches for a long time. This species has been popular since 1900. The most popular varieties:

• Eykhol h – up to 60 cm tall, with reddish-orange fruits;
• Coral Beauty– up to 40 cm, with red fruits, large but single;
• Stockholm- a tall, up to a meter, shrub with bright red fruits.

Cotoneaster adpressus

This is a low-growing species of cotoneaster, growing up to half a meter. The diameter of its crown is a meter. Its branches seem to spread along the ground, the crown looks pressed to the ground. The leaves of cotoneaster are small, round, light green, and scarlet in autumn. The species is slow growing, reaching maximum growth within 10 years.

Did you know? In Tibetan medicine, the fruits, bark and leaves of cotoneaster are widely used for medicinal purposes. Decoctions and infusions from different parts plants treat skin diseases, nervous disorders and problems of the digestive system.

Cotoneaster multiflorus

The homeland of the multi-flowered cotoneaster is the Caucasus, Central Asia, the western territories of China and Western Siberia.The shrub is tall, growing up to 3 m in height. It has curved thin shoots. Wide leaves in the shape of an irregular ellipse change color seasonally: in summer - green with a silvery tint, in autumn - purple.

The inflorescences are small, white, and during the flowering period the bush seems to be covered with snow. The fruits are large, round, bright red in color. The plant loves illuminated areas; due to the small number of the species, it is protected in nature reserves. In Europe, the crop is grown in botanical gardens.

Attention! Despite their frost resistance, young plants must be protected from frost for the winter.

Cotoneaster melanocarpus

Cotoneaster aronia gets along well in the middle zone. It is quite winter-hardy; in its natural environment it lives in the Caucasus, northern China, Europe and Central Asia. The height of the plant reaches 2 meters, the branches are brown with a red tint.

Egg-shaped leaves up to 5 cm long. The upper side of the leaf is rich green, the underside is whitish. Racemose inflorescences with pink flowers, blooming in May, last up to 25 days. This crop has edible black fruits. Aronia cotoneaster has been cultivated since 1829.

Interesting! Various decorative accessories are made from chokeberry wood: souvenirs, smoking pipes, spectacular carved canes.

Pink cotoneaster (Cotoneaster roseus)

Pink cotoneaster distributed in India, Iran and Pakistan. Low, up to one and a half meters, shrub. Thin red shoots have a edge at a young age, but become bare when mature.

Cotoneaster is a genus of shrubby plants belonging to the Rosaceae family. The genus includes more than 100 species, which are distributed mainly in North Africa, Europe and some areas of Asia. Sometimes people think that dogwood and cotoneaster are the same plant and expect a harvest of delicious berries, but in fact this is not the case and cotoneaster fruits are not edible.

Among the species of this group of shrubs there are both evergreen and those with falling leaves. The majority of species are bushes with dense branches, from which you can make hedge. The foliage is small, alternate, round, usually green, but by autumn it begins to turn red. The flowers are small, white or pink. The growth of shoots is slow and it lives for a very long time. This plant is quite popular among novice gardeners for its ease of care.

Varieties and types

Siberian deciduous species. It can grow up to 2 m. The foliage is round, oblong, tapering towards the tip. The flowers form corymbs. The black berries that hang in the cold also look beautiful. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 4 years.

A variety that also withstands our cold weather well. The berries of this species are edible, unlike most of its relatives. The height of the bush can exceed one and a half meters. The foliage is oblong, round, small. The inflorescences are pink and consist of small flowers. Most often it begins to bear fruit only 5 years after planting. This type is a good honey plant.

This species is not particularly popular, although it tolerates winter and heat well. The tall stems are pubescent, but over time the covering disappears. The foliage is wide and round. The flowers are white with a pink tint, collected in inflorescences. The berries are bright red.

Or creeping an evergreen shrub whose crown grows wildly in width. The foliage is oval, green in color, and by autumn it turns orange-red. The berries are bright pink and can hang all winter. This species is demanding on soil quality.

It grows wild mainly in mountainous areas. The stems also creep and because of this are prone to self-rooting. The height does not exceed 30 cm, but the width can be very voluminous.

The foliage is small, rounded, and acquires a purple tint in autumn. Inflorescences are reddish in color. The fruits are pink, also remain on the branches for a long time and have a beautiful appearance.

Has a hybrid variety Coral Beauty , which is slightly taller than the original plant and has increased winter hardiness.

Grows above 2 meters. The stems are slightly pubescent, but become bare with aging. Young foliage has a grayish color, turns green by summer, and turns red by autumn. The flowers are relatively large and form large inflorescences. The fruits are bright red.

In general, it tolerates frosts well, but is not as resistant as Brilliant. Demanding on soil nutrition.

It grows up to a meter, is densely branched and has strong foliage, for which it is valued. Suitable for shaping haircuts. It tolerates cold well, but in severe frosts it may suffer.

This species is listed in the Red Book. Distributed in mountains or river valleys. It grows up to 2 meters, has small pink flowers, and its fruits are first red and then change color to black.

An evergreen plant native to China. It has not too spreading long branches. The foliage is quite long, oblong, pointed. The flowers are small and white. The fruits are red. Served to create many varieties.

Cotoneaster planting and care in open ground

Planting cotoneaster seedlings in open ground usually carried out in the spring, when the soil has already melted, but the trees have not yet opened their buds. The Brilliant and Chokeberry varieties can also be planted in the autumn.

This culture tolerates partial shade, so it can be planted not only in the sun, but for the most decorative effect It is better to select open places for planting.

Most species are not picky about soils and their nutritional value, but if they are still needed nutrients, then they can be added when planting.

A hole for the seedling is dug approximately 50 cm in height, width and length. 20 cm of drainage is placed at the bottom of the hole, and then a mixture of sand, humus, peat and turf soil in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 2. You also need to add 250 grams of lime to the mixture.

The gap between individuals depends on their size - for small species it can be 50 cm, and for large ones it can be as much as 2 meters. When lowering the seedling into the hole, you need to plant it so that the root collar is flush with the soil.

Having filled the hole, the soil is trampled down well, and the area is covered with peat mulch. If you want to plant bushes to form a hedge, you will need to make a trench rather than a hole.

Cinquefoil shrub is also a member of the Rosaceae family, and some species also have medicinal properties. You can find recommendations for caring for and growing this flower in this article.

Watering cotoneaster

Growing cotoneaster is not at all difficult. The most important thing to remember is that it does not tolerate excess moisture. Otherwise, these plants are quite independent and can withstand heat and lack of moisture well.

If the summer has been very dry and there has been no rain for a long time, then once every 15 days you can water using 6 buckets of water per mature plant. From time to time, after rains, the substrate should be loosened.

In order for the crop to have an attractive appearance, it must be washed. This procedure can be done simply with a hose.

Cotoneaster feeding

In the spring it needs to be fed with products containing nitrogen. For example, urea (about 30 g per bucket of water) or Kemiroy-universal (150 g per square meter).

Before flowering, you need to have time to apply potassium phosphate fertilizer in the form of 15 grams of potassium sulfate and 60 grams of superphosphate per square meter.

When the growing season ends, the soil is covered with peat mulch.

Pruning cotoneaster

Cotoneaster can be pruned to form various shapes that will decorate your garden. Pruning should also be done if some branches become old, break or become diseased.

In general, pruning can be carried out at any time of the year, except winter, but crown formation and rejuvenation by pruning are carried out in the spring before the buds open.

Cotoneaster in winter

Most species of this genus tolerate frost well and do not require shelter for the winter; mulching an area of ​​8 cm with a ball of peat is enough for them.

If your species is less tolerant of cold or you live in a place with too much frost, then bend its branches to the ground, keep them that way and cover them with dry leaves.

They also make a shelter if there is no snow long time or there is very little of it. But if enough snow falls, then the shelter can be removed.

Cotoneaster growing from seeds

Cotoneaster propagation is possible different ways. If you choose generative, then note that only a small number of seeds germinate and you need to sow a lot of them.

After collecting the seeds, they are placed in a mixture of sand and peat and kept in a cool place at 0°C or below. Sowing is carried out in the fall. This lengthy stratification is necessary for these seeds, but can be shortened by a 10-minute treatment with sulfuric acid. After this, 2-3 months of stratification will be sufficient.

But even so, the seeds may not germinate or the germination will be simply minimal. It would be more reliable to resort to vegetative methods.

Propagation of cotoneaster by cuttings

The branches that remain after pruning are used as cuttings. To begin with, they are left for a day in water with a substance diluted in it to enhance root formation.

After which they plant it on a flowerbed at a 45° angle in a mixture of peat and sand, do not water cold water and cover it with a bottle. If it's hot outside, the shelter is removed. On next year the bushes can be transplanted to another area.

Cotoneaster propagation by layering

Reproduction by layering is suitable for ground cover varieties, for example, Creeping and Horizontal. They themselves can take root from branches close to the ground.

To create layering, the young stem is pressed to the ground and covered with humus at the point of attachment to the soil. The next year, this branch is cut off from the parent and transplanted to a new location. Using layering most often gives the desired result.

Reproduction of cotoneaster by dividing the bush

If the bush has grown very much, then it can be divided. This method is also quite effective.

The division is carried out in spring or autumn and immediately after it the divisions are transplanted to other areas.

Diseases and pests

Cotoneaster bushes are resistant to many diseases and are rarely affected by pests.

It happens that the plant infects aphid , mite And scale insect . Most pests can be gotten rid of with infusion of tobacco or yarrow. You can also use insecticides, and acaricides against ticks.

The most common disease is fusarium . Areas affected by the disease are cut off, touching living tissue, and burned. After this, the cuts and the area are disinfected with fungicides.