Cotoneaster Horizontalis Growing Tips

Not always a bird favourite but a prolific berryer alll the same.

Marks for the juicy red berries 65%, for the colourful leaves 25%, for the arching branches 25% and for arithmetic 12%.

An important genus of hardy ornamental shrubs ranging from prostrate to 10 feet high varieties. They tolerate most soil and conditions some growing up north facing walls.
As can be seen the leaves turn from green to strong autumn colours and most varieties bear fruit much loved by the birds in my garden.
Small white flowers can smother the branches in June and they attract bees and hover flies but are not troubled by pest or disease.
My Cotoneaster horizontalis has herring bone style branches covering a 2 foot wall and 6 square yards of an ugly, old patio. This variety of Contoneaster is drought tolerant.
My ‘Hilliers Manual of Trees and Shrubs’ (a great Christmas present for the enthusiast) lists over 70 of the 300 species with short write-ups on each and the RHS Plant Finder tells you where to source them.
Originally from Japan

Cotoneaster Horizontalis is a good low growing shrub for use as groundcover or to grow on a bank. In this situation they need little or no maintenence or pruning.
A group of Cotoneaster Horizontalis growing in harmony with a taller shrub can make a distinctive feature
I have a self sown seedling in the top of a wall and the arching branches disguise the more formal wall shape.
Cotoneaster Horizontalis can be trained as an espalier or against a wall.

Cotoneaster horizontalis will root where the spreading branches touch the ground and this helps its spread. You can take rooted cuttings in this manner.
Plants produce prolific seed via the red berries. They are easy to grow from seed.
Can be propagated from Semiripe-hardwood cuttings

Credits
bird on fence by *Psycho Delia* CC BY-NC 2.0
November 2011 – Cotoneaster horizontalis by muffinn CC BY 2.0

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