Cotoneaster salicifolius
Willowleaf Cotoneaster
Rosaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to western China
- hardy to zone 6
Habit and Form
- a large, semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub
- 10" to 15" tall and similar in width
- arching habit with an open appearance
- medium texture
- medium growth rate
Summer Foliage
- alternate leaf arrangement
- simple leaves
- long, linear leaves
- up to 3.5" long
- dark green leaf color with a gray pubescent underside
Autumn Foliage
- purplish-tinge occurs in colder seasons
Flowers
- small, white flowers
- flowers borne in corymbs
- blooms in May
- emit odor
Fruit
- red pome fruit
- small
- ripen in September through October
- can be showy
- persist through winter
Bark
- grayish brown bark
- thin stems
Culture
- transplant from containers only because of sparse root system
- prefers well-drained, loose soil
- wind tolerant
- pH adaptable
- full sun to partial shade
Landscape Use
- hedge
- bank cover
- groupings or mass
- for flowers or fruit effect
- screen
Liabilities
- bees are attractive to flowers
- fireblight
- leaf spot
- spider mites
- scale
ID Features
- long, linear leaves
- white flowers
- red, pome fruits
- irregular growth habit
- long spreading branches
- alternate, evergreen leaves
- pubescence on underside of leaf
Propagation
- by seed, stratification required
- cuttings
Cultivars/Varieties
'Repens' (also seen as 'Repandens'; 'Avondrood' and 'Dortmund' are probably the same) - A low-growing form with lustrous leaves that may be semi-evergreen in severe winters. The plant fruits well with red pomes and may be used as groundcover. 'HQ' and 'Green Carpet' are very similar in habit, as are other cultivars.
'Scarlet Leader' - This prostrate form is common in the trade and is useful in creating a mat-like low groundcover. It only reaches 3' tall but can cover up to 10' wide. The foliage is glossy, disease-free and assumes a purplish hue in winter.