Cotoneaster Care

Sheet

Brought to you by
S & S Bonsai of Colorado Springs, Colorado
(Most of the included information is obtained from several
online sources.)

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if

you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi
 The Cotoneaster CARE in the direction you want the new branch to
grow. Cotoneaster are vigorous growers, and
(Cotoneaster sp.) Temperature: Zone 4-7, depending on the constant attention to remove unwanted
species, with winter protection below freezing. shoots and keeping the canopy from becom-
General Information: Cotoneasters are prime In warmer areas, up to zone seven and eight, ing over crowded is a must. Main trunks can
picks for a bonsai project. The word cotone- cotoneaster will be evergreen, where as in tend toward the thin side, but thickening can
aster is widely mispronounced. The correct colder climates they will loose their foliage in be encouraged by cutting down suckers at the
pronunciation is "Cot-o-ne-as-ter." They are a the winter. Cotoneaster still require a period base as they grow. Also try planting these in
broadleaf shrub that has small leaves and of cooler weather to thrive, though do not the ground, as they are particularly slow to
some very good characteristics that make need to go below freezing. Most Cotoneasters thicken in a pot. Wire in spring, before bud
them perfect bonsai specimens. In the Rose do well in hot climates. break if necessary.
(Rosaceae) family, they are tolerant of heavy Insects / Pests: Leaf blight and fireblight.
Lighting: Varies according to variety, but most
pruning and human error. This native of China Mites, aphids, scale, lace bugs.
need full sun to partial shade.
and the Himalayas has a multi-seasonal ap-
peal. There are many varieties of cotoneas- Air: Protect from strong, cold winds. Propagation: Seeds, softwood cuttings in
ters. summer, layering. Cuttings may be taken in
Watering: As necessary in summer. Never al-
June-July, and should take about six weeks to
The most popular species for bonsai is coto- low to completely dry out, but do not over
root. Air-layering may be used as well; the
neaster horizontalis, also known as Rock- water. Lower water in winter, just enough to
most optimal time is during bud-swelling in
spray cotoneaster. Hardy in zones 5-8, it keep from dehydrating. Cotoneaster do not
the spring. Cotoneaster may be grown from
stands up to cold better than most Cotoneas- like wet feet! seed collected from the berries in fall, but
ters. This species is amazing as you will see so Fertilizing: Every two weeks with an balanced seed grown plants are inferior to other meth-
many changes taking place within this plant. fertilizer during spring (after flowering) and ods. The seeds must be cold treated and
It is a great choice because it grows very summer. Use half-strength plant food. Nitro- sown in early spring.
quickly, produces its flowers early, has small gen free in late summer and fall, tapering off
leaves, and even bears fruits when it is still Repotting: Every one to two years in spring,
to nothing in winter. removing up to one third of the root system.
very young. This variety has been a beautiful
specimen and has done very well in shows. It Pruning / Training: Cotoneaster likes to Cotoneaster does not like to be bare-rooted.
has beautiful colors. You will see light and sucker, so if it is not being grown as a clump, Well draining soil, about 50% organic, 50%
dark green in the foliage, which is then fol- suckers must be vigilantly removed to pro- grit.
lowed by either white, red, or pink blooms. mote trunk growth. Cotoneaster tolerate very
Design and Styling: Cascade, semi-cascade,
The foliage of cotoneaster horizontalis will heavy pruning. Prune back to old stems, as
mame, clump, root-over-rock, exposed root,
change from light green to dark green as the cotoneaster will back bud to old wood. Trim slanting, multi-trunked. Cotoneasters lend
seasons change. This is followed by bright red back to one or two leaves in late spring from themselves to mame and shohin, but are
fruit that is an eye-pleaser for sure. This vari- new growth, cutting just above a leaf node.
harder to grow as large bonsai.
ety will keep its fruit up until late fall or early Cotoneaster have herringbone patterned
winter, but will drop its leaves if you live in branches, as new branches emerge from the
colder climates. base of every leaf stalk in midsummer or fol-
lowing spring, so rebuilding and forming
branches is very predictable. Shape existing or
new branches by cutting back to a leaf facing
Some species suitable for bonsai: show of autumn color before losing its leaves. Cotoneaster microphyllus 'Cochleatus':
Cotoneaster adpressa (adepressus)- Creep- Hardy in zones 5-8, it stands up to cold better dwarf creeping cotoneaster - another good
ing Cotoneaster, a deciduous cotoneaster than most Cotoneasters. More disease and potential indoor bonsai.
with pink flowers, red fruit and good red au- pest resistant. Cotoneaster microphyllus 'Thymifolius':
tumn color. Dark glossy leaves. Hardy to zone Cotoneaster horizontalis: rockspray cotoneas- thyme-leaf cotoneaster - This plant has the
4b. ter - A broad-leaved shrub, hardy to zone six. smallest leaves of any Cotoneaster. It has pink
Cotoneaster adpressa praecox - similar to the Dense, mounding habit. The rockspray cotone- flowers, red fruits, and is hardy to zone 5.
above, but has better autumn color and aster has white or pink flowers and very nice Cotoneaster multiflorus: many-flowered
brighter fruits. autumn colors in areas where it is deciduous. cotoneaster - A large and showy plant, this is
Its herringbone growth pattern and wide the Cotoneaster to choose for large size bon-
Cotoneaster apiculata (apiculatus): cranberry leaves are not typical of the genus, although it
cotoneaster. Creeping habit. Shiny green sai. It has large, red, conspicuous fruit and
is one of the most popular varieties for bonsai. showy clusters of white flowers. It grows to
leaves with undulating margins, red to pur- Zone 5.
plish-red color in autumn. White flowers ten feet, and has two-inch leaves that turn
flushed red; round red fruits. Zone 4. Cotoneaster horizontalis 'Variegatus': varie- yellow in autumn before leaf fall. Hardy in
gated rockspray - less vigorous than the spe- zones 5-7, another good cold-weather choice.
Cotoneaster congesta (congustus): con- cies, but has cream and green patterning on
gested cotoneaster, Pyrenees cotoneaster. Cotoneaster simmonsii - This Cotoneaster
the leaves and pink fruit. can be deciduous or evergreen, depending on
Mounding habit. Dull bluish-green leaves- an
evergreen shrub with white flowers and red Cotoneaster integerrima (integerrimus): conditions. It has pink flowers, red fruit, and
fruit. Very small, and especially good for common cotoneaster, European cotoneaster. small, leathery leaves which may turn scarlet
mame. Zone 6. Taller, rangy habit, up to 9 feet tall in land- in autumn.
scape. Pinkish white flowers in late spring. Blu- Cotoneaster 'Skogholm' - An evergreen
Cotoneaster conspicuus decorus - Small- ish-green foliage with little fall color. .
leaved evergreen with red fruit. Its most no- dwarf, with large oval fruit, coral red in color.
table feature is its fragrant white flowers, Cotoneaster lucida: also Cotoneaster acuti- Cotoneaster salicifolia (Willow leaf cotoneas-
which open fully to resemble wild roses. An- folius - Peking Cotoneaster: hedge cotoneas- ter.) Small dark green leaves, very small pink
other advantage - birds don't seem to like the ter. Upright habit, up to 8 feet tall in land- flowers, bright red berries and reddish foliage
taste of this Cotoneaster's fruit. scape. Black fruit, small dark green foliage that in fall. Water heavily. Soil must be well
turns yellow to red in autumn. This is a specie drained and may become dry between water-
Cotoneaster dammeri: Bearberry cotoneas- of cotoneaster that can be classified as a de-
ter. Creeping evergreen to semi-evergreen ings. Fertilize with half strength high phos-
ciduous species because its loosing it's leaves phorus (middle number) fertilizer.
shrub. Leaves dark green in summer and in winter. Zone 4 to 8.
autumn, dull green and purple in winter.
White flowers, scanty red fruit. 'Royal beauty' Cotoneaster microphyllus (C.integrifolius) -
Recommended as a good candidate for indoor
has more abundant, coral fruit. Zone 5. Simi-
bonsai, this evergreen has white flowers and
lar to Skogholm cotoneaster.
red fruit. Its slender, pointy leaves are glossy
Cotoneaster divaricatus: spreading cotoneas- dark green. Little leaf cotoneaster. Dwarf
ter - Native to China, this Cotoneaster grows shrub. Semi-evergreen to fully evergreen.
to six feet. Upright but spreading habit. It has Miniature shiny, dark green leaves on top, gray-
bright red berries pink flowers, and a fine ish fuzz below. White flowers, bright red fruit.