- 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 distributed from the Baltic states to the North Caucasus, in natural conditions it 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. In autumn, bright red large fruits ripen. This variety is resistant to drought and frost.
Motherland cotoneaster brilliant- Eastern Siberia. This upright, deciduous shrub is densely covered with luscious 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.
The leaves, shaped like an irregular ellipse, are dark green in summer with a yellowish inner side, and take on a reddish tint in winter. 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.
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:
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:
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 of the plant are used to treat skin diseases, nervous disorders and problems of the digestive system.
The homeland of 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 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 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 beautiful shrub, loved by beginning gardeners for its unpretentiousness, and by professional landscape designers for its variety of shapes and textures. A small number of varieties is not an obstacle; the plants will perfectly decorate the garden, because from the bushes you can create fences and geometric shapes in the form of balls and pyramids. Most often, the plant is used as a hedge; brilliant cotoneaster bushes are suitable for this. There are both standard and ground cover forms. In the spring, this bush is covered with small flowers, during the summer it pleases the eye with beautiful small berries of red, orange or black, and in the fall the leaves acquire a beautiful color of all shades of red.
The first to describe this plant was K. Baugin, a Swiss botanist. The name he gave it translates to “quince” and “similar.” The leaves of some species do look like quince, but that's where the similarities end. Unlike dogwood, cotoneaster fruits in most species are inedible and serve only a decorative function.
In the wild, cotoneasters grow throughout Eurasia and North Africa. There are very frost-resistant cultivars. They colonize the mountain slopes and northern Siberia.
Describing cotoneaster, I would like to note its constancy. The plant can grow in one place for up to 50 years, forming bushes or small trees. Depending on the species, there are deciduous and evergreen representatives. The bush is densely covered with miniature ovoid leaves, the plate is solid, dark green in color, in some varieties with a white pattern.
In autumn the leaves turn beautiful shades of red. The arrangement of the leaves is regular. The inflorescence is a raceme or corymb, formed from small white or pink flowers. After flowering, fruits are formed - green apples, and at the end of summer they become, depending on the variety, black, red, orange or brick-red. There are from 2 to 5 seeds inside the fruit. The root system is very powerful and runs close to the surface, which is why cotoneaster is often used to hold slopes.
The shape of the bush is erect or creeping. There are also small trees, the height of which does not exceed 8 - 10 meters. The wood is used for handles of knives and garden tools, pipes. Cotoneaster hedges are found in cities, squares and along roads. When describing the brilliant cotoneaster, I would like to note that it is most often used in city landscaping due to its survival rate and frost resistance. There is no need to water this plant, just wash off the dust from the leaves.
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) belongs to the Rose family (Rosaceae). About 80 species and varieties of cotoneaster are used in landscape design; they are perfect for any garden. There are varieties, such as the brilliant cotoneaster, the black cotoneaster, the prostrate cotoneaster, the common cotoneaster or the entire cotoneaster, which, due to their hardiness, are widespread in the urban landscape, most often in the form of a hedge.
There are also unusual varieties with shoots clinging to the ground. Dummer's cotoneaster and willow cotoneaster, thanks to their creeping shoots, lacy foliage and bright berries that can last on the branches all winter, create a beautiful design. There are also rare protected varieties, such as Alunian cotoneaster, which form dwarf trees in the tundra zone on the rocky screes of the Barents Sea.
Cotoneaster brilliant
Cotoneaster brilliant or cotoneaster lucidus is a common urban and long-cultivated species, native to Eastern Siberia. In the wild, there are two-meter specimens that form dense thickets or grow as a single tree. Shiny cotoneaster is a deciduous plant with smooth shiny leaves, up to 5 cm in length. The leaf plate is solid, the edges are smooth. The stem is erect. Pink flowers are collected in a corymbose inflorescence.
Flowering duration is a month, from May or June. After flowering, small black fruits are formed. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the bush has been cultivated for landscaping squares and parks. A hedge of brilliant cotoneaster is part of the city landscape. Shrubs are planted along roads. Thanks to its durability, it copes well with dust and gas contamination.
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster is a tree up to 3 meters in height. The leaves are small, bluish-green. The underside of the leaf and young shoots are covered with white fluff. Inflorescence of 7-12 pale pink flowers. Flowering is abundant and begins in May. At the end of summer, bright red spherical fruits ripen. After the onset of cold weather, the fruits do not fall off. Thanks to the berries, bushes without leaves retain their decorative properties for a long time. Feels great in the gardens of central Russia.
Cotoneaster multiflorum
Cotoneaster multiflora grows in Central Asia, Western Siberia, Western China and the Caucasus. Forms the undergrowth of mixed and deciduous forests. In the wild it is protected. The plant reaches a height of 3 meters, thin young branches are covered with down. The leaves change color throughout the year: in spring they are silver-green, in summer they are green, and in autumn they turn red.
The leaf shape is ovoid, wide, up to 5 cm in length. The inflorescence is corymbose and contains from 6 to 20 large flowers. Flowering is very abundant, covers the entire bush and lasts up to 25 days. From August the bush is covered with red fruits.
The variety is less frost-resistant than the previous ones. Easily tolerates drought. When planting it in your summer cottage, you need to take care of the fertile soil; you can additionally enrich the soil with lime.
Cotoneaster Coral Beauty
Cotoneaster Coral Beauty is a low-growing bush that can grow up to 50 cm in height and cover an area up to 2 m in width. The bush is very spreading, capable of branching greatly. This cotoneaster is evergreen. The leaves are shiny, green, and do not exceed 2 cm. During flowering, the bush is covered with white flowers with a pleasant smell. The fruits are light red and remain on the branches until the next season.
For planting in the garden, it is better to choose a place protected from direct sunlight. Any soil is suitable, but not waterlogged. Young plants after planting need frequent watering and mulching. You can feed them with nitrogen-containing fertilizer. The bush is easy to shape; to do this, it is cut by 1/3 in March.
The bush is easily propagated by root layering and cuttings. Hybrid cotoneaster Coral Beauty is difficult to propagate on your own; it is better to purchase seeds in the store.
Cotoneaster alau
The Alauan cotoneaster is found in the wild in Russia, and more precisely in the Central Russian Upland. A relatively small plant up to 1.5 m in height. In spring, the branches are covered with fluff, then become smooth and green, and closer to autumn they acquire a reddish tint. The leaves are small, oblong, ovate. The underside of the leaf is covered with fine fluff. The inflorescence is racemose, with 4-7 pale pink flowers. The fruits are 6-9 mm in diameter, black, with a bloom.
Cotoneaster Alauan is included in the Red Book and is protected in the regions of central Russia.
Small-leaved cotoneaster
Small-leaved cotoneaster is a frost-resistant species. This evergreen cotoneaster reaches a height of up to 15 cm. The leaves are small, broadly elliptical, up to 8-15 mm long, glossy. The front side is dark green, the back side is light green. Small white flowers begin to bloom in May. The fruits are orange-red, round. Perfect for a rock garden.
Cotoneaster felt
Cotoneaster tomentosa is a deciduous plant up to 1.5 m in height. Spreading branches are covered with whitish fluff. The leaf blade is light green, elliptical in shape. The corymbose inflorescence consists of pink flowers. It can grow in one place and maintain a decorative appearance for up to 20-30 years.
Cinnabar - red cotoneaster
Cinnabar-red cotoneaster is endemic to Eastern Finoscandia. Rarely found, listed in the Red Book of Russia. It grows up to one meter in height and often has the shape of a dwarf tree. Living in cold regions and on poor soils, it produces virtually no growth during the season. The leaf shape is broadly elliptical, no more than 5 cm, covered with down, the upper part of the leaf is green, the underside is yellow-green.
The arrangement of leaves on the stem is alternate. The small flowers are white-green with a pinkish edge. After flowering, round fruits of cinnabar-red color are formed. The plant prefers moist rocky river banks and scree on mountain slopes. Flowering begins in June and ends in September.
Cotoneaster splayed
Cotoneaster splayed is a spreading bush 1.5 m in height. The leaves are dark green, ovoid, no more than 2 cm long. The flowers are small, collected in threes in the axils. After flowering, rich red fruits with two seeds appear. A very hardy representative, not prone to diseases and pests. The bush blooms and bears fruit profusely, maintaining its decorative effect from May to September. At the end of summer the foliage takes on a reddish hue.
Suitable for very dry and saline soils. Capable of growing in one place for a long time, sometimes up to 40 years. Ideal for decorating hedges.
Cotoneaster on a trunk
Cotoneaster on a trunk is a very decorative tree with beautiful flowers and berries. The height, depending on the trunk, can vary from 60 to 1.5 m. Other representatives of the Rosaceae family are used for the trunk. These can be pears, apple trees, hawthorn and rowan. Horizontal cotoneaster and atropurpurea are grafted onto the trunk, and less often other creeping varieties. Their spread out shape looks very good and is easy to shape.
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster is a creeping representative of the family with shoots that press tightly to the ground and spread up to 2 m. The plant does not rise above 50 cm in height. This variety is classified as a conditionally evergreen plant, since the leaves do not fall off, but overwinter on the plant. The flowering is lush, with white flowers collected in a raceme-shaped inflorescence. The fruits are red in color, formed at the end of summer and remain on the bush almost all winter.
You can choose almost any place in the garden: the bush feels good both in open spaces and in partial shade. Almost any soil is suitable for it, with the exception of wetlands. Before planting in the ground, the plant must be provided with a drainage system.
Cotoneaster ascending
The ascending cotoneaster has another name - adpressed cotoneaster. Found in western China. Prefers well-lit mountain slopes. It does not exceed 50 cm in height, but branches well, forming a lush bush with dark red stems. The leaves are ovoid in shape with a pointed tip and wavy edge, no more than 1.5 cm in length, fall off. The flowering period begins in May-June. The flowers are pinkish-red, no more than two in an inflorescence. In August, light red fruits ripen, spherical in shape, 7 mm in diameter.
Prefers well-moistened and fertile soils. It is not afraid of frost and direct sunlight. Easy to propagate by cuttings and layering. For propagation by seeds, stratification must be observed.
Cotoneaster horizontal
Cotoneaster horizontalis variegatus is common in Western and Central China. This species can be found at altitudes of 1000 - 2000 m in the mountains of China. The deciduous shrub grows up to 50–60 cm. As they grow, the branches form a dome shape. The leaves are shiny, dark green, densely covering the entire bush. In autumn they turn deep red and fall off in November. Flowering lasts less than a month, with pinkish-red flowers.
At the end of September, red fruits from 4 to 5 mm in diameter are formed. The fruits can be stored on the branches for up to 4 months. The species is unpretentious, resistant to frost and pests.
Cotoneaster aronia
Aronia cotoneaster is resistant to adverse environmental factors. Feels great in an urban environment along dusty roads. The plant grows up to 2 m in height. Young plants have reddish-brown bark. The leaf is ovoid, no more than 4 cm in length. The underside of the leaf is felt-like, as are the young shoots. From May to June the bush is covered with pink flowers of 3-15 flowers in an inflorescence. Black fruits are no more than 1 cm in diameter, similar to chokeberry. Ripen in September.
A description of the aronia cotoneaster would be incomplete without noting its resistance to adverse conditions and pests.
Dummer cotoneaster
Dummer's cotoneaster is an excellent representative of miniature varieties. The bush rises up to 15 cm in height, and in width it can cover an area of up to 1 m. The leaves are dense and leathery, dark green. The flowers are inconspicuous, which is compensated by the very beautiful coral-red fruits. They remain on the branches throughout the winter. The bush is not picky about soil and space; it can be grown in containers and rockeries.
Common cotoneaster
Common cotoneaster is a deciduous plant, up to 2 m high. Young shoots are covered with fine down, but become smooth with age. The leaves are ovate or round, green, matte, up to 5 cm long. The underside of the leaf is covered with white or grayish felt pubescence. The cotoneaster blooms in early spring, forming a corymbose inflorescence of 2-4 flowers. The fruits are bright red, spherical.
It is found in the wild in the Caucasus and Western Europe. Used in landscaping since 1656. Tolerates winter and drought well.
Planting and caring for horizontal cotoneaster will not cause any trouble even for a novice gardener. Despite its unpretentiousness, it is better to choose loose soil with neutral acidity. On heavy clay soils with close water, the plant most likely will not take root and will often get sick.
Planting and caring for the dummer cotoneaster is no different from other cotoneasters, but it must be taken into account that varieties of this species are less cold-resistant and do not tolerate waterlogging. Cotoneaster is a plant whose planting and care does not require special conditions. It is so undemanding that it does not even need regular watering.
The powerful roots of the plant are able to independently obtain a sufficient amount of moisture from the soil. Most varieties do not require additional watering, only at the time of planting. During very hot and dry seasons, they are sprayed with water to wash away dust. After planting, young plants are watered and mulched to retain moisture at the roots.
Cotoneasters are ideal for pruning to form hedges and geometric shapes. New branches grow quickly, the bush becomes denser and stronger. After planting, prune by 1/3 to help the plant take root. You can also carry out rejuvenating pruning of the bush, cutting off almost the entire plant.
Feeding is done extremely rarely; most plants do without it. In early spring, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied, and before flowering, fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus are applied. This will help the bush bloom more luxuriantly and produce more fruit. Cotoneaster is also responsive to organic fertilizers: they can be applied during planting by mixing them into the planting soil.
All cotoneasters are not picky about soil, but for better survival and adaptation of the plant, before planting it is advisable to make a mixture of peat, turf soil and sand in a ratio of 1:2:2. Cotoneasters do not like acidic soils. In some cases, an additional 300 grams of lime is added per plant.
Cotoneaster brilliant - persistent species. It is rarely attacked by insect pests and diseases. In rare cases, especially in hot years, aphids, spider mites and scale insects can be seen on bushes. A plant affected by aphids curls its leaves, which subsequently dry out and fall off. A web on the back of a leaf indicates a spider mite attack. Fruiting may be affected by moths. Special preparations such as “Fitoverm”, “Neoron” and “Aktelik” will help fight insect pests.
Cotoneasters are not susceptible to fungal diseases, and if they do get sick, it is most often fusarium. Treatment consists of removing the affected tissue and treating the entire plant with a fungicide.
The scientific name of the flower midge is sciarid. It does not harm the plant, it only bothers the owner of the flower. Problems with the plant may arise due to larvae living in the roots of the flower. The reason for the appearance of midges is waterlogging and a high content of organic matter in the soil due to the use of folk remedies for fertilization, for example, tea (tea leaves), drunken coffee. Any insecticide, changing the soil or changing the watering regime will help cope with it.
Planting cotoneaster is a simple and accessible process for a novice gardener. But to get the best result, some conditions must be met.
Cotoneaster does not require additional shelter in winter. Most varieties, especially the ancestor of which was the brilliant cotoneaster, can easily tolerate severe frosts. Dummer cotoneaster is more sensitive to cold and, in the event of a severe snowless winter, needs shelter. Young plants planted this year will also have to be covered.
Young plants obtained from seeds are planted in open ground at 1-2 years of age. Such plants require prepared soil, abundant watering and mulching with sawdust of at least 6 cm. Cuttings from young shoots are ready for planting in a permanent place this fall. Cuttings taken from lignified branches in the fall should be placed in sand and left in a cool place throughout the winter, and planted in pots in the spring to form roots.
They propagate by layering: in the spring they press the branch to the ground, fix it, and cut it off in the fall. The plant can only be transplanted to a new location in the spring.
In order to know how to plant cotoneaster, you need to take into account its design purpose and the characteristics of the variety. In any case, you should not plant closer than 50 cm from each other.
You can plant cotoneaster in almost any area. It thrives in areas open to the sun and in partial shade. Does not take root well in places with close water. Before planting cotoneaster, you need to dig a hole or trench (if you plan to plant it for a green hedge) with a depth and width of about 50 cm. A drainage 10–20 cm high must be placed at the bottom. Crushed stone or broken brick can be used as drainage. First pour soil into the hole, consisting of 2 parts turf soil, 1 part peat (or compost), 2 parts sand. The plant is watered and fed abundantly; a root formation stimulator can be used. During planting, special attention must be paid to the location of the root collar: it should be above ground level.
Cotoneaster propagation is not a very complicated process, accessible even to a novice gardener. Thanks to its endurance, it quickly takes root, in almost 100% of cases.
There are several ways to propagate cotoneaster: generative (by seeds) and vegetative (including propagation by layering and cuttings).
Propagating cotoneaster by cuttings is the fastest and most affordable way. Green and lignified cuttings are used. Select healthy, strong branches, at least 15 cm in length and with at least two internodes. For cuttings, it is preferable to take shoots from side shoots. In July they were sufficiently formed to take root well. A root formation stimulator will allow you to achieve better results.
The cuttings are planted in specially prepared soil, which includes humus, turf soil and sand. The cuttings are planted in the ground at an angle of 45 degrees and to a depth of 5 cm. The soil must first be well watered. A mini-greenhouse is arranged for the cuttings, covered with jars or plastic wrap on top. The covering is regularly opened for ventilation and watering. By autumn, when a good root system has formed, the plant can be planted in open ground in a permanent place. In the first year of life, seedlings must be covered with sawdust or dry leaves.
To propagate cotoneaster, lignified cuttings are often used. To do this, with the onset of frost, they are cut off, placed in sand and left in a cool room. In spring, green cuttings are planted. Each branch must have at least 3 buds.
Another accessible method of propagating cotoneaster is propagation by layering. To do this, the soil is dug up to a depth of 50 cm, enriched with peat and humus, and a bent branch is placed above it at a height of up to 10 cm, securing it with wooden or metal brackets. Sprinkle the top with a prepared mixture of peat, humus, turf soil and sand. The procedure is carried out in the spring, and in the fall the plant can already be separated from the mother bush. It is better to replant to a new place in the spring.
Propagation by seeds is the most labor-intensive process. Seeds can be obtained from ripened fruits, dried and peeled from the pulp. To do this, the fruits are left in the sun to wilt. You can select mature seeds by immersing them in water. Any seeds that float to the surface should be discarded. Seeds that have sunk are mixed with peat or sand and placed in a container. They should be in a cool room with a temperature of about 0°. You can speed up the stratification process by treating the seeds for 5-20 minutes with sulfuric acid. After carrying out all these operations, you should not count on 100% germination. Of all the seeds, only 5-20% will sprout.
In the spring, they are evenly distributed over the surface of the container, sprinkled no more than 1 cm with loose soil or sand. Young shoots are protected from direct sunlight. After the true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate pots. In the fall of next year you can plant it in open ground. The first year after planting, young plants must be covered with a layer of sawdust or dry leaves.
In the urban landscape, cotoneaster is used for planting as a hedge. Such varieties as brilliant cotoneaster, common cotoneaster and black-fruited cotoneaster are suitable for this. A cotoneaster hedge will provide excellent protection from dust and at the same time will not suffer from highway gas pollution. The bush easily forms, turning into dense thickets of densely woven branches. Cotoneaster is used to form not only a hedge: it tolerates topiary perfectly, including the popular form of geometric objects.
Dummer's cotoneaster prefers moist and nutritious soil, but it can perfectly replace an ordinary lawn in places with insufficient light. Under the canopy of trees, this species can be used to create a dense green carpet with red berries. Spread cotoneaster is suitable for forming balls and hemispheres. It can be planted in rockery loamy soils as borders. Spreading cotoneaster also looks great as a single plant against the background of a lawn. Horizontal cotoneaster in landscape design, due to its small size and evergreen leaves, is often used as a single plant. This species can also be planted as groups, forming them into various forms and supplementing them with low perennials.
In landscape design, horizontal cotoneaster is perfect for regions with harsh winters. Cotoneaster aluna is a wonderful species that could be used in landscape design. Its beautiful berries are red at first and then turn black. But currently the species is listed in the Red Book and is not widely used in culture. The cotoneaster bush remains decorative for several seasons or a whole year.
The ability of some species to retain red berries in winter makes it particularly attractive for landscape design.
Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) is a non-thorny shrub plant or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. Many types of crops have a decorative appearance and are used in the design of local areas.
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 a fruit and berry tree, and many varieties of cotoneaster are represented by ornamental shrubs used in landscape design.
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 that grows naturally in Eurasia and North Africa.
Cotoneaster is a non-thorny shrub plant or small tree belonging to the Rosaceae family
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.
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
C.adpressus is a low-growing species 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, round in shape, light green in summer and scarlet in autumn. Slow growing variety reaches full height by the tenth year of life.
Cotoneaster pressed
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. Flowers early with small whitish-pink flowers followed by bright red fruits. 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
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. The outer side of the leaves is dark green in color and glossy. The interior is gray and rough. Racemose inflorescences are represented by white-pink flowers. The varietal feature is drought resistance and frost resistance.
Common cotoneaster
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. In late autumn, the stems acquire a reddish-brown color.. The foliage is irregularly elliptical, dark green in summer and slightly reddish in autumn.
Cotoneaster brilliant
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
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
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. A 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
“Coral Beauty” is an ornamental and low-growing deciduous shrub with 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
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. White flowers. After flowering, round, bright red fruits are formed.
Cotoneaster
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
Domestic and foreign amateur gardeners are also well aware of others, very decorative types of deciduous shrubs:
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
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.
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 a soil mixture based on turf soil and river sand, with the addition of humus or peat compost, is optimal.
Seedlings are planted in open ground in the 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. A prerequisite for proper planting is the use of drainage based on broken bricks or gravel. The distance between planted seedlings may vary depending on the species characteristics. When forming a hedge, planting is carried out not in planting holes, but in pre-prepared trenches.
The culture is unpretentious, but responsive to care, which includes basic measures represented by irrigation, fertilization, timely pruning and proper preparation for wintering.
Irrigation measures are necessary for ornamental plants during especially 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.
In early spring, the crop is fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which can be considered urea, diluted in the 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
Sanitary pruning can be carried out throughout the entire growing season, and the crown should 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.
The highly decorative crop has sufficient frost resistance, so it does not require special preparation for the 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
Even novice amateur gardeners can propagate decorative perennials on their own. There are several quite accessible and simple methods of reproduction.
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.
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.
The cutting method is used when it is necessary to obtain a large amount of planting material at once. 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.
Some species form a sufficient amount of shoots, which can be used for propagation of 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
The fruit-forming ornamental shrub can be propagated by 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.
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
(Cotoneaster lucidus)
Cotoneaster is an upright growing shrub up to 2 m high. It is not picky about soil fertility. Light-loving, but can withstand partial shade conditions. Drought resistant. Does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. An excellent plant for creating shaped and free-growing hedges. Used in the design of edges, decorative groups, single plantings on the lawn, and borders.
(Cotoneaster horizontalis)
Cotoneaster horizontalis is a deciduous ornamental shrub with an open or creeping crown. Very widely used in Europe. It grows slowly. Not picky about soil. Photophilous, tolerates partial shade. Drought resistant. Frost-resistant. Decorative with almost horizontal shoots and characteristic branching, similar to a fish ridge. Recommended for planting in rocky gardens, on retaining walls and slopes.
(Cotoneaster dammeri)
Dummer's cotoneaster is a ground cover evergreen low shrub up to 15-20 cm in height with creeping branching rooting shoots and numerous short branches. One of the best ground cover evergreens. Grows quickly. Shade-tolerant, not picky about soils. Drought-resistant and quite frost-resistant. It can be used to create large evergreen carpets. An indispensable plant for rock gardens.
(Cotoneaster divaricatus)
Spreading cotoneaster is a dense shrub with widely spreading shoots, 2-3 m in height, and with age often 5 m in width. It grows quickly. Light-loving, but also tolerates partial shade. Tolerates drought and high air temperatures well. Quite winter-hardy. Suitable for trellises, single and group plantings.
(Cotoneaster suecicus Juliette)
Swedish cotoneaster Juliet is a creeping low shrub, in maturity it forms peculiar convex hummocky forms, about 0.5 to 0.8 m high and 0.7 - 1 m wide. It has beautifully colored leaves, young ones are green with a white pattern, older ones - with an addition of red. Prefers fertile, moist soils. The young plant needs shelter for the winter. Regular watering is advisable. Recommended for planting on slopes. Gives an interesting colorful accent to every garden. Use: rockeries, ground cover. Suitable for urban landscaping.
Cotoneaster shrubs are very popular for original garden design. The variety of species and varieties of this shrub allows you to create the most interesting design solutions for every taste and budget.
Many gardeners mistake dogwood and cotoneaster for the same plant, although they belong to different families. Dogwood is a shrub belonging to the Dogwood family, reaching a tree height of eight meters, although sometimes it is found at a maximum of 3 meters in height. Has juicy red fruits.
Cotoneaster belongs to the Rosaceae family and is not edible at all. Cotoneaster is an evergreen, deciduous, low ornamental plant. Gardeners use it as a decorative element in the garden, planting hedges and real alpine slides. Cotoneaster is valued for its very original foliage, strong branching and varied forms during plant growth. Gardeners also value this type of shrub for its bright red or black fruits, which are present on the branches for quite a long time. And in the fall, the dark green foliage turns red.
The cotoneaster bush has many species and varieties:
