Other Names:  Rock Cotoneaster, Rockspray Cotoneaster

Description:

An excellent color accent plant for massing and grouping, with white-variegated leaves on a horizontal 'herringbone' branching habit; pretty pink flowers in spring followed by brilliant red fruit and pink foliage in fall, quite a show-stopper

Ornamental Features

Variegated Cotoneaster is primarily valued in the garden for its cascading habit of growth. It features tiny clusters of pink flowers along the branches in mid spring. It has attractive white-variegated dark green foliage. The tiny glossy round leaves are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding brick red in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Cotoneaster is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a shapely form and gracefully arching branches. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Variegated Cotoneaster is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Variegated Cotoneaster will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under typical garden conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.