Family: Rosaceae

This genus comprises around 200 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees from temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. In their various forms, they make useful garden specimens, rock garden and embankment plantings, and hedges and espaliers. They have rather pretty flowers, mostly in white, and brightly coloured fruit through autumn into winter.

Species

C. conspicuus, zone 6, is a twiggy, evergreen shrub, 1-2 m (3-6 ft) tall, with arched, spreading branches. It produces white flowers with red anthers and masses of brilliant red fruits from late summer through to autumn.

C. franchettii, zone 6, is a pretty, evergreen shrub, to 3 m (10 ft), with silvery gray leaves. It produces white to pink flowers in early summer and brilliant orange-red fruits which last into winter.

C. frigidus, Himalayan tree cotoneaster, zone 7, is a very beautiful, deciduous or semi-evergreen tree to 6-8 m (20-26 ft), with abundant sprays of red fruit.

C. glaucophyllus, zone 7, is a low-branching, evergreen shrub, to 3 m (10 ft) or more, with orange fruits.

C. horizontalis, zone 4, a deciduous shrub, to 1 m (3 ft), is useful for covering walls where little support is available. Its branches have a distinctive, herringbone pattern, its fine foliage turns a range of autumn colours and its berries are coloured red.

C. lacteus, zone 6, a tall, evergreen shrub, growing to around 4 m (13 ft), has large leaves and large hunches of red fruits late in the season. Another choice for the tops of walls and embankments is C. microphyllus, zone 7. An evergreen which grows to 1 m (3 ft) tall and spreads to 3 m (10 ft) wide, it produces red fruits from the late summer through to winter.

C. pannosus, zone 7, an evergreen or semi-evergreen growing to 3 m (10 ft), has tangled, wiry branches and dull red fruits, which turn to a deeper red.

C. salicifolius, zone 6, an evergreen or semi-evergreen species, to 4 m (13 ft), makes an attractive hedge plant and can he trimmed to shape. It has masses of bright red fruits that last well into winter.

Cultivation

Species are raised from seed sown outside in autumn, but cultivars and hybrids are propagated from semi-ripe cuttings in summer. All are easily grown in most well-drained soils and are suited to full sun or partial shade. Some of the deciduous species may be semi-evergreen in mild climates.

Climate

There are species suited to various climatic zones.