Genus of the Month (September) - Cotoneaster

Perhaps underrated, Cotoneasters are grown principally for their berries in autumn – useful food for the birds – but they also put on a lovely show of flowers in spring which are a magnet for the bees.

Their form can range from a low ground hugging shrub, to wide spreading bushes to trees. Grafted forms are perfect for a specimen in a small garden or pot. They are very tough and perform well even in dry shade.  We have a number of varieties available in the garden centre just now.

Cotoneaster microphyllus ‘Thymifolia’ – small leaved, spreading shrub, good for rockeries.

Cotoneaster dammeri ‘Oakwood’ – low growing, good for ground cover.

Cotoneaster horizontalis and h. ‘Variegata’ – not really ‘horizontal’!, but makes a great spreading shrub against a fence, good for a north wall.

Cotoneaster suecious ‘Coral Beauty’ or ‘Juliette’(variegated) – prostrate forms with red berries, often grafted onto a ½ standard stem to make a compact, weeping tree.

Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Cornubia’ – a larger growing form often sold as a tree, producing large clusters of red berries.

Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Exburiensis’ - has yellow berries with strappy leaves like a willow.