Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster) - non-thorny shrubby plant or a 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.
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 leaves ovoid. 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
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.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
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. 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
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. 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
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” 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. Small flowers, white, of 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. White flowers. 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 decor. 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 a soil mixture based on turf soil and river sand, with the addition of humus or peat compost, is optimal.
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 the species characteristics. 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 for ornamental plants during especially hot periods in the absence of precipitation. It is advisable to carry out watering according to specially made tree trunk circles irrigation ditches. After watering, shallow loosening of the soil and removal of weeds is carried out.
Top dressing
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
Trimming
Sanitary pruning can be performed 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.
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 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.
Root shoots
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
Seeds
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.
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
In our changing world, people are often exposed to stressful situations. Great idea meet and grow on summer cottage popular types and varieties of cotoneaster. This unusual plant requires special care at an early stage of development, but later it transforms the garden into a colorful place of peace.
Some gardeners believe that dogwood and cotoneaster are the same plant. In fact, they belong to different families. Cotoneaster is a low deciduous plant. Whereas dogwood is a plant that bears tasty fruits. Different kinds and cotoneaster varieties are used to decorate garden areas, city parks and suburban areas. It is used to form original hedges and is also used for alpine slides. The appearance of cotoneaster is especially impressive in the fall, when its foliage turns red, shimmering in the rays of sunlight.
The shrub is valued for its glossy fruits of scarlet or black coloring, which hang on the branches for a long time, attracting everyone's attention.
Attractive touches of cotoneaster
The plant was first described by the Swiss biologist K. Baugin and gave it a name that is translated into Russian as “quince” or “similar”. The thing is that the leaves of some species and varieties of cotoneaster resemble quince fruits. Otherwise, the shrub has its own unique touches of attractiveness. The plant is widespread in North Africa, Eurasia, China and even Siberia. Therefore, some of its varieties are highly frost-resistant.
Describing this unpretentious shrub, let us immediately note its extraordinary constancy. He is able to please his fans for about 50 years in one place. For some, this is comparable to a lifetime.
Depending on the variety, cotoneasters are either evergreen or deciduous. The plant is especially attractive in the fall, when its miniature, egg-shaped foliage takes on bright shades. During flowering, brushes appear on the bushes, consisting of small pink and snow-white buds. Over time, original green fruits similar to miniature apples form in their place. At the end of August they acquire a new color that matches the appearance:
- black;
- red;
- ginger;
- orange;
- coral.
Inside the “apple” there are several seeds (from 2 to 5 pieces). The unique root system of cotoneaster is located almost on the surface of the soil. Therefore, the plant is planted on slopes to retain the top layer of soil. Depending on the variety, the crown of cotoneaster can be creeping or erect. Some of them grow in the form of compact trees, not exceeding 10 m. Cotoneaster does not need additional watering. It is enough to simply wash off the dust from it if it does not rain for a long time.
The wood of such a shrub is used to make some garden tools.
Popular types and varieties of cotoneaster for landscaping a garden plot
Biologists count about 80 varieties of this pretty plant, which are planted to form the landscapes of city parks and suburban areas. Let's get acquainted with some of them to choose the right option for yourself.
Ordinary
The shrub is a deciduous plant reaching 2 meters in height. Its young stems are abundantly covered with villi, which disappear with age. In the photo of the common cotoneaster, the ovoid leaf plates of a matte nature are clearly visible. Their upper part is painted dark green, and the back part, thanks to felt fibers, has a grayish or white shade. In early spring, inflorescences of a corymbose structure appear on the shrub, which consist of 2 or 4 buds. Over time, bright red spherical fruits grow in their place.
Since the plant wonderfully tolerates winter and dry conditions summer times, it can be grown in mid-latitudes.
Pressed (cotoneaster adpressus)
This shrub is well known to residents of the western regions of China, where it grows in its natural environment. Cotoneaster adpressed or ascending loves open mountain slopes. It grows only up to half a meter, but has a lush crown consisting of many crimson branches. Its ovoid-shaped leaf blades are distinguished by a pointed tip and jagged edges. Flowering begins at the end of May, when the plant puts on a shawl of deep pink buds. And already at the end of summer, red fruits of a glossy nature appear.
To breed cotoneaster adpressus, it is enough to purchase several cuttings and follow all the rules for growing it. As a result, an exquisite shrub with decorative bright fruits will appear in the garden.
Horizontal
This original cotoneaster has been used for a long time to decorate gardens on the American continent and in the countries of the East. Some varieties of horizontal cotoneaster are grown in botanical gardens. 
Despite this, the plant is popular among gardeners.
A particularly noticeable subspecies of shrub is “Variegatus”. It is a creeping plant up to 30 cm high. However, shoots can grow up to 2 m in length. Interestingly, the horizontal cotoneaster, growing in southern latitudes, is considered an evergreen plant. And in areas with a cool climate it is deciduous.
Its main decorative feature is its rounded leaf plates. They are painted in a rich dark green color. Each of them has a crisp white border, which gives them a stylish look. The shrub blooms with pale pink buds at the end of May. And in September, scarlet spherical fruits appear.
Cotoneaster horizontalis Perpusillis is presented in the form of a prostrate plant that reaches 100 cm in diameter. Although its height barely reaches 30 cm, its emerald-colored foliage attracts special attention. Fleshy and dense plates have a smooth shiny surface. In autumn they take on a purplish hue.
Dammera (cotoneaster dammeri)
This unique version of miniature shrubs, which grows only up to 150 cm in height, will appeal to fans of lush greenery. An adult dummer cotoneaster is capable of covering an area of about 1 m with its shoots. Its leaf blades have a rather dense texture, leathery, and deep green color. During flowering, inconspicuous buds of coral coloring appear. But in their place, red fruits with a glossy coating are formed. They remain on the shoots all winter, like bright drops of blood, attracting birds to them. The cotoneaster dammeri shrub does not require special care. It is even grown in containers for decoration.
In addition, breeders have developed several hybrids of Dummer cotoneaster. The most popular of them are familiar to many gardeners:
Cotoneaster Stockholm is considered a semi-evergreen plant. It has many branching shoots covered with dark green shiny foliage. At the end of the season it turns orange or purple. It blooms at the end of May with miniature white and pink buds, which turn into bright red fruits by autumn.
Cotoneaster Coral Beauty is a miniature evergreen shrub 50 cm high. Its spreading branches cover an area up to 2 meters wide. They grow many shiny dark green leaves, up to 2 cm in size. The Coral Beauty cotoneaster blooms with white buds. They exude a delicate and pleasant aroma. Scarlet fruits hang on the branches until the beginning of the next season.
Small-leaved (cotoneaster lucidus)
This species belongs to frost-resistant shrubs that wonderfully tolerate the harsh winters of central Russia. In the photo of small-leaved cotoneaster, you can see glossy leaves in the shape of an ellipse. The front side of the plate is painted dark green. And the back part is much lighter, which gives the bush a special decorative look. Flowering is observed at the end of May, when the plant is covered with many white flowers. After successful pollination, the shrub bears orange or red rounded fruits.
Shiny (cotoneaster lucidus)
The plant's homeland is considered to be the eastern part of Siberia, where it grows up to 2 m in height. There it is found as single specimens and dense thickets. Cotoneaster lucidus is a deciduous shrub. The plates have smooth surface with a shiny coating, hence the name of the variety. The shoots are mostly erect. During flowering, white buds collected in corymbose racemes can be seen among the greenery. They remain fragrant on the bush for about 30 days, exuding an exquisite aroma. The diameter of the crown of the brilliant cotoneaster reaches 3 m. This makes it possible to widely use it for landscape design.
Chokeberry (cotoneaster melanocarpus)
The plant is found in forest thickets in Europe, the Far East and China. Some specimens are grown in nature reserves and are carefully protected. Black cotoneaster grows up to 2 m in height and is distinguished by a red-brown covering of branches and black fruits. The ovoid foliage is painted in two colors: dark green above, white felt below. The shrub begins to bloom when it reaches 5 years of age. The buds glow with beauty for up to 25 days.
In the provided photo of Chokeberry cotoneaster, you can see all its charms, and if possible, even fall in love with this unusual bush. Many gardeners appreciated its resistance to temperature changes and unfavorable conditions environment. It takes root well along dusty city roads and is widely used to decorate summer cottages.
The fruits of black cotoneaster resemble miniature apples or rowan berries. They ripen in early autumn and are no more than 1 cm in diameter. Inside the berries contain several miniature seeds, which give them unprecedented strength. They remain on the branches of the plant throughout the winter. Unlike other varieties, the fruits of cotoneaster melanocarpus are considered edible, but differ significantly from.
The berries of this plant are widely used in traditional and folk medicine. In addition, they are added to natural wines. Often tinctures or decoctions are prepared. Edible cotoneaster does not have a distinct taste, but is a fairly popular delicacy.
Willow
Cotoneaster of this variety is classified as a conditionally evergreen shrub, since its foliage remains on the branches all winter. The crop grows no higher than half a meter. But it spreads along the ground about 2 m from the main trunk. The shrub blooms with white buds collected in corymbose racemes. In the photo, the willow cotoneaster is presented in all its glory, as it appears in the garden.
Alaunsky
In its natural environment, the plant can be found in elevated areas of central Russia. This dwarf shrub grows up to 150 cm. In early spring, its tender shoots are covered with villi, which disappear with the onset of summer. In autumn they turn slightly reddish. The fruits of the Alauan cotoneaster are most often scarlet in color and covered with a bluish coating. The plant is under state protection and is listed in the Red Book. Those who want to grow this miracle of nature are honored and praised by conservationists.
The plant is often called Central Russian cotoneaster, after its place of growth in nature.
Spread
This shrub has a spreading crown and grows up to one and a half meters in height. The platinum leaves that cover the shoots dark green. The diameter is only 2 cm. The foliage shape is ovoid. All these features are clearly visible in the photo of the splayed cotoneaster.
The plant blooms with white buds, which are collected in special axils of 3 pieces. Later, reddish fruits appear. The plant is not prone to diseases and is considered a fairly hardy variety.
Holly
The plant comes from China, but is different high level frost resistance. Acute cotoneaster is widely used to form hedges. It has erect shoots with glossy, pointed foliage. When young, they are slightly pubescent, which gives them a certain charm. During the flowering period, the shrub puts on a “mantle” of red buds for 30 days. A few months later, black spherical berries appear on the cotoneaster. They remain on it until the new season, for which the variety is highly valued by gardeners.
Video about brilliant cotoneaster
Hybrid cotoneaster / Dammera Coral Beauty
Cotoneaster x suecicus / dammeri Coral Beauty
Description : evergreen, decorative deciduous shrub with a dense crown and thin shoots that take root over time in any type of soil. This makes the Major variety universal and suitable for growing in any corner of Ukraine. Landscapers love this shrub for its all-season nature - it is magnificent at any time of the year: during the flowering period it is densely covered with small white flowers, and by autumn bright red berries already appear.
Habit: flat, prostrate, creeping shrub.
Size: fast-growing, 0.4-0.6 m high and 1.5 m wide.
Leaves: small, dark green, shiny, elliptical.
Flowers: small, white.
Fruit: Numerous, decorative, bright red, spherical fruits remain on the plant for a long time and decorate it.
Relation to light: semi-shaded location sunny location.
Ground, soil: hardy, but loves good watering.
Temperature: relatively winter-hardy.
The soil: stable, undemanding to soil, suitable for any garden substrate; grows well in light rocky, poor sandy soil; drought-resistant, may freeze a little in winter, but recovers quickly.
Pests and diseases: Cotoneaster is quite resistant to disease, but still sometimes gets sick. The main pests are the bear butterfly, which eats the leaves, the fruit cap moth, which spins its cocoon using leaf fibers, and aphids. A bush affected by insects easily becomes ill with fusarium (rot and fruit rot) and dies. To avoid damage to the cotoneaster by aphids and other pests, it should be periodically sprayed with insecticides and other insect control agents.
Planting and care : The planting hole should be at least 0.5 m deep, a drainage layer of crushed stone is laid on the bottom in a layer of 0.1-0.2 m. The root is covered with a mixture of turf soil, peat and sand (2:1:2). When planting, leave the root collar at ground level. When planting, leave a distance between bushes of about 1 m so that the crown of an adult bush is comfortable. Cotoneaster is watered rarely, only in the driest times. Once or twice a month, 8 liters of water per bush is enough. In the spring, mineral fertilizers are applied, and before flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied. The bush lends itself well decorative pruning, after which it begins to grow even more actively. In winters with little snow, it is recommended to bend young bushes to the ground and cover them.
It is better to buy Coral Beauty hybrid cotoneaster seedlings in Ukraine (acclimatized) in a plastic container with fertilizers, so the plant is not dug up with inevitable damage to the root system and is guaranteed to take root after planting.
Application: ideal ground cover plant for rocky gardens, retaining walls, trellises, slopes, slopes, ridges, and is also suitable for growing in containers. Cotoneaster is valued for its decorative properties; it is especially beautiful when in flower, when there are flowers and fruits on the branches at the same time.
Climate zone: 6B.
You can buy Coral Beauty hybrid cotoneaster in Kyiv at low prices in the PROXIMA plant nursery.
Read more: planting, watering, care, fertilizing, protection, mulching, cutting - with photographs in the "Planting, care" section.
For everyone who is planning to create a lawn on their property or in front of their house and is about to buy grass seeds, we inform you that there is an effective alternative - the Dummer's cotoneaster plant, which is unique in many respects. Undoubtedly, emerald green grass is beautiful, but somehow ordinary and troublesome, because in order for it not to turn yellow in the heat, it needs to be watered daily, and so as not to be spoiled by inappropriately overgrown ears, it must be mowed regularly. Dummer's cotoneaster does not require such trouble. Once planted, it will delight its owner with gorgeous greenery long years. In addition, it can be used not only for lawns, but also to create evergreen living borders, hedges, as a natural cover material that covers all the unsightly places on the site. We invite you to get acquainted with the features of growing, caring for, and propagating this amazing plant, as well as some of its varieties.
Botanical description
Dummer's cotoneaster is a Rosaceae and belongs to the rose family, that is, it is a relative of the familiar apple tree, raspberry, and strawberry. It has many varieties, some of which are very tiny, no higher than 7-10 cm, others a little higher, up to 60-90, and others are almost giants, growing up to one and a half meters. The root system of all Dummer cotoneasters is branched, consisting of dozens of thin roots. The leaves are medium-sized, up to 2, less often 2.5 cm in length, either ovoid in shape with absolutely smooth edges, or having a small notch at the top and a clear vein dividing the leaf blade in half. The color of the leaves in summer is rich green, and in autumn all shades of crimson.
Dummer's cotoneaster blooms very beautifully. The photo clearly shows this. The flowering period occurs in May-June. Its small (up to one centimeter in diameter), but fragrant flowers have five petals of white or pinkish color and many stamens, which are crowned with purple anthers. The flowers open in the axils of the leaves and can grow singly or in groups of 2-3. But the most spectacular fruits of cotoneaster are those that resemble generously scattered coral beads up to 7 mm in diameter. They stay on the branches until spring.
Features of the view
Dummer's cotoneaster came to Europe from the central regions of China, where its wild thickets spectacularly entwined stone cliffs, spread along mountain slopes and hills, rising above sea level to a height of up to 4 km. IN European gardens it has been cultivated since the beginning of the last century. Over such a long period of time, many varieties have been developed that are suitable for cultivation in central Russia and its northern regions. Cotoneaster can be called one of the most unpretentious ornamental crops. Almost any soil is suitable for it, it does not require watering, it is resistant to frost and drought, atmospheric pollution does not affect its viability, and it lives for about 50 years.
Using Dummer's cotoneaster in landscape design
To give beautiful view to his personal plot This wonderful plant can be used in different ways depending on the variety. For example, Dummer's dwarf cotoneaster Major is ideal as a ground cover. It grows with a magnificent carpet, which is convenient for decorating uncovered areas of land, places that are not amenable to other types of landscaping. Also, this and other dwarf varieties are excellent for decorating slopes, rockeries and rock gardens, and climbing stone walls, they can give original look any buildings.
Low-growing varieties, such as Dammer Eicholz cotoneaster, which can reach a height of one meter, are best suited for creating vibrant, colorful borders and hedges. They are also planted as central element in plant compositions.
Features of propagation by seeds
Spectacular and original are the fruits that Dummer's cotoneaster produces from the beginning of September until spring. The photo shows what they look like in the snow in winter.
Each berry can have 4 or 5 seeds. Reproduction of this type of cotoneaster by seeds is not the most the best option, but it is practiced quite often. It is believed that this is how the plant can best adapt to the conditions of each site. The main difficulty that gardeners face is the low germination rate of seeds, only within 20%. Another feature of them is uneven stratification. That is, some seeds sown in the fall may sprout next spring, while others will “sleep” in the ground for another year. Therefore, where cotoneaster has been sown but has not sprouted, nothing else is planted for another year.
How to sow seeds
The process of propagating Dummer's cotoneaster by seeds is as follows: in the fall, ripe berries are collected, the seeds are washed from the pulp and soaked in cold water. After about 30 minutes, all the substandard material will float to the surface, and seeds will remain at the bottom, which can give life to new plants. Then you can go in two ways:
1. Collect suitable seeds, place in boxes with garden soil, sand and peat (1:1:1) and leave at a temperature of 0-7°C for up to 9 months. The soil should be slightly damp all the time. The emerging shoots are protected from drafts and direct sun, watered moderately and very carefully. Seedlings with 3-4 leaves are planted in open ground in early autumn or spring.
2. In autumn, the seeds are separated from the pulp, washed and sown immediately in open ground to a depth of 4 cm, watered, and a shelter like a small greenhouse is made over them to protect them from the bright sun. Shoots can appear within 2 years from the moment of sowing.
Reproduction is vegetative
Dummer's cotoneaster, planted even as a single specimen, is soon able to occupy an area with a radius of several meters. This plant not only grows, it reproduces itself, because the branches touching the ground take root well. Such “talents” are mainly shown by dwarf varieties, for example, Major, Cardinal. Medium-sized varieties, such as Dammer's cotoneaster Coral Beauty, Stockholm, are also capable of rooting on their own, but it is more convenient to propagate them by cuttings. Young green or already lignified, but always healthy and fairly powerful shoots are suitable. Green petioles are harvested in mid-summer, cutting them to such length that at least 2 internodes remain. For greater efficiency, the finished petioles are placed in a rooting agent (according to the instructions) and planted in greenhouses (not film). The soil for them should consist of humus, garden soil and sand. Add more sand on top in a layer of about 5-7 cm and moisten it. The petioles are placed at an angle in the sand, but so that their ends touch the ground. When they are well rooted, they are transplanted into the garden.
If you were unable to prepare green cuttings, you can try woody ones. To do this, at the end of autumn or the very beginning of winter, shoots are cut, placed in sand and lowered into the basement. In the spring, cuttings about 25-30 cm long are prepared from the shoots. The further process is the same as with summer cuttings.
Landing
Dummer's cotoneaster causes almost no trouble to its owners. Planting and caring for it is very simple. As noted above, it can be planted on any soil in places where it is difficult for other plants. But still, in order for the cotoneaster to grow lush and beautiful, it is advisable to meet several requirements. So, he loves the sun, but also feels good in partial shade. The optimal time for planting in open ground is the beginning of spring, before the buds open, or the second half of autumn before frost. If you plan to create a cotoneaster plant, preferably in the ground, where it will decorate the garden, drive in pegs and stretch the string, and then dig a groove along it, up to 70 cm deep and up to 50 cm wide. Place the bushes in it at a distance of 35-45 cm from one another, cover with soil, which must be compacted, and watered. Despite the fact that cotoneasters are not picky about soil, it is better that the planting holes contain a mixture of coarse river sand, turf soil and peat.
Care
Dummer's cotoneaster is a real treasure for those who do not like to bother with finicky green pets or are very pressed for time, because all care for this plant consists of pruning in early spring sick and weak shoots and watering on particularly hot days, but not more than 2-3 times a month. If necessary, artistic pruning of cotoneaster bushes is carried out, for example, when creating hedges. You can also feed the plant so that it is especially beautiful, more luxuriant and blooms longer. Compost and complex fertilizers, which are applied to the soil in the spring, are suitable for fertilizing. Some gardeners advise applying fertilizers in the summer, using organic matter - bird droppings or slurry. Cotoneaster grows in such a thick carpet that it leaves no chance for weeds to get through. Therefore, as a rule, it does not require weeding.
Pests and diseases
In general, Dummer's cotoneaster almost does not get sick, but sometimes it can be affected by fusarium. In such cases, the plants are treated with fungicides, and if the damage is too severe, the diseased bushes are destroyed. Among the pests that are dangerous for cotoneaster are apple aphids, scale insects, plum sawflies, and cotoneaster mites. A diseased plant becomes less attractive, the leaves wrinkle, turn yellow, and fall off. Insecticides are used to control pests.
Dummer cotoneaster Coral Beauty
This is one of the most popular varieties. It was released in 1967 in the Netherlands. Externally, it is a lush shrub up to 60 cm high with thin, hanging and creeping shoots on the ground that can take root well. The Coral Beauty variety is unusually decorative. In summer, its elliptical leaves with a distinct midrib are rich green. By mid-September they become burgundy, red-violet, and purple. This variety blooms in mid-spring. Its flowers densely cover the branches, creating an unusually picturesque fragrant carpet. The variety is quite frost-resistant, suitable for growing in central Russia.
Dummer's cotoneaster Major
This is one of the most low-growing varieties. The height of its bushes rarely reaches 15 cm, more often it rises above the ground by only 7-10 cm. This baby’s leaves are also small, oval, reaching 1-2 cm in length. In summer they are a beautiful green color, in the fall they become bright orange and purple . The flowers of Cotoneaster Major are white, bloom in late spring and last until mid-June. The berries are light red. This variety grows on any soil, including sandy and rocky, is frost-resistant, and is not particularly demanding of moisture. It only needs watering in extreme heat.
Dummer cotoneaster variety Eichholz
This is one of the relatively tall varieties, the bushes of which grow up to 1 meter in height. But its branches are also capable of spreading along the ground. Dammer's cotoneaster Eichholz is perfect for alpine slides and rock gardens, creating various compositions, and hedges. Its leaves are small, rich green in summer, red-orange in autumn. The flowers are located in the axils of the leaves and grow one at a time. They bloom in the second half of spring. The fruits of Eicholz cotoneaster are slightly oblong, orange and red. This variety loves sunny areas, is undemanding to moisture, and can easily tolerate a polluted atmosphere, but in harsh winters it requires light covering with spruce branches.
Dummer cotoneaster variety Skogholm
Is different rapid growth shoots. If in other representatives of the species the annual growth does not exceed 10-15 cm, and in some cases only 7 cm, then Dammer's cotoneaster Skogholm pleases its owners with an increase of up to 1 meter during the growing season. It also differs from its “brothers” in its taller stature. Bushes of this variety can reach a height of up to 1.5 meters. However, its shoots also manage to spread along the ground and quickly form lush carpets. The leaves of the Skogholm cotoneaster are small, up to 2 cm long, evergreen, the flowers are white, bloom in late spring, the fruits are very showy, purple-red. This variety is one of the few shrubs that can tolerate shade. Just like other cotoneasters, it is undemanding when it comes to soils and tolerates the winters of the Moscow region very well.
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.
Are dogwood and cotoneaster the same thing?
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; they plant hedges and real alpine coaster. 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 quite for a long time present on the branches. And in the fall, the dark green foliage turns red.
Photos and descriptions of varieties and types of cotoneaster
The cotoneaster bush has many species and varieties:
- Common cotoneaster is the most frost-resistant and unpretentious species of all other species; it takes root very well in central Russia. The appearance of cotoneaster is distinguished by shiny foliage and black fruits.
- Hybrid cotoneaster Coral Beauty or Coral Beauty is a low-growing shrub that grows up to half a meter in length and several times wider. Bright dark green leaves, white flowers and coral fruits that do not fall from the branches for quite a long time.
- Black cotoneaster (C. melanocarpus) - the shrub sometimes reaches a height of up to two and a half meters and has a dense, elongated crown. The leaves are larger than the others and matte. It copes well with frost and is mainly used for growing hedges.
- Creeping or horizontal cotoneaster (C - Gorizontalis) - got its name for its low growth of up to 50 cm and horizontally growing branches and shoots. The leaves are round in shape, shiny, leathery in appearance, and the fruits are small in size and colored red. Looks great in a rock garden design if planted this shrub tightly, then cushion thickets can be formed. This type of shrub tolerates winter very well and practically does not freeze.
- Creeping cotoneaster or Dammer's cotoneaster (C/ Dammerii) is a low-growing evergreen shrub 10 cm high. It grows with branches to the sides and takes root with shoots, creating a dense covering, hence its name “Creeping”. It is considered a genus of shrubby lawn. This variety of Cotoneaster is not very common in Russia, unlike in Europe. It has bright red fruits.
- Spreading cotoneaster (C. divaricatus) - has a very beautiful foliage, which is why it is valued, but is not particularly common. It reaches a height of 100 cm. It tolerates molding haircuts well; beautiful spherical shapes and hemispheres can be made from such bushes. The frost resistance is the same as horizontal, that is, it can easily survive the winter, sometimes it freezes, mainly in snowless winters.
- Cotoneaster evergreen mainly grows in the western regions of China. Reaches a height of two meters, the branches hang very gracefully. It has silver-green leaves and orange-purple fruits that stay on the branches for a very long time and do not fall off.
- Dwarf cotoneaster is a short evergreen shrub, the branches of which spread along the ground and take root. It is quite frost-resistant, but in cold winters it can freeze; it is advisable to cover it with dry leaves for the winter.
- Small-leaved cotoneaster - this type of cotoneaster shrub differs from all others mainly appearance their leaves. These are spread out petals and white flowers.
- Cotoneaster pressed has an outstretched crown, pressed to the ground, the branches of which rise to a height of 50 cm. It grows very slowly, reaching its maximum in 10-20 years.
- Multiflowered cotoneaster (C. Multiflrus) is a semi-evergreen shrub, reaching up to 3 m in height. It has thin curved branches. The flowers of the multiflora cotoneaster are shaped like a wide egg, and the color of the leaves varies from season to season - silver-green in summer and red-purple in autumn. The shrub received its name due to the flowers, which are collected in corymbose inflorescences. The fruits are round and bright red.
- Cotoneaster Tselnokraniy growing up to two meters. Well distributed in the Baltic states and Europe. The crown is wide and spreading, with short, stiff branches. It practically does not require watering and is resistant to drought and frost.
- Early cotoneaster "Boer" is a beautifully spreading, dense variety of cotoneaster. It can grow up to one and a half meters in height. Small leaves densely cover the branches, large fruits also abundantly cover the branches of the bush.
- Edible cotoneaster - not all types of cotoneaster produce edible fruits. The fruits of the aronia cotoneaster are used for food and for medicinal use. Although they do not have a distinct taste, they are added to wines and liqueurs. Decoctions are used for medicinal purposes.
- Cotoneaster Alaunsky is listed in the Red Book as a rare and unique species. Usually grows on slopes and in river valleys. It reaches a height of two meters, the leaves are ovate, the flowers are small pink. The fruits are red at first, then turn black.
- Ground cover cotoneasters include such types of shrubs as Dwarf, creeping Dummer's cotoneaster and horizontal ones. This name is related to this. That all these bushes grow to the sides with branches, covering the soil and taking root in it. Such shrubs are well suited for use in rock gardens; they also cover stones well with their branches.
- Cotoneaster spiral Schneider is a creeping evergreen shrub, no more than 20 cm in height and up to one meter wide. The leaves are oval-shaped, dark green, shiny in color, the fruits are spherical in shape and bright red. Ideal for decorating rocky gardens and walls.
Cotoneaster on a trunk is a cotoneaster shrub, usually horizontal with grafting. Most often, cotoneaster is grafted onto a hawthorn or mountain ash trunk.
