Overview

Cotoneaster divaricatus is a bushy shrubs in the genus Cotoneaster, part of the Rosaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1.8 metres tall and 2.4 metres wide. Cotoneaster divaricatus grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and coastal.

About

Cotoneaster divaricatus, the spreading cotoneaster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to China, and has been introduced to Ontario in Canada, the Midwest United States, northern and central Europe, Kenya, and the South Island of New Zealand. A shrub reaching 1.8 m (6 ft) tall but spreading to 2.4 m (8 ft), and hardy in USDA zones 4 through 7, it is considered a valuable landscaping plant by the Missouri Botanical Garden. In the garden it prefers full sun and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden and coastal. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cotoneaster divaricatus

About the genus

Cotoneaster is a genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, native to the Palaearctic region, with a strong concentration of diversity in the genus in the mountains of southwestern China and the Himalayas. They are related to hawthorns (Crataegus), firethorns (Pyracantha), photinias (Photinia), and rowans (Sorbus).

Wikipedia contributors, "Cotoneaster", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cotoneaster

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cotoneaster

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Cotoneaster divaricatus size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Height

1.8 metres

Spread

2.4 metres

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cotoneaster divaricatus

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe in autumn, or by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to brown scale, cotoneaster webber caterpillar and aphids including woolly aphid

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to fireblight, honey fungus, leaf spot, silver leaf and virus diseases

Frequently asked questions