Cotoneaster, with its small, deep-green leaves, makes an attractive backdrop for many other plants. This perennial, low-growing shrub makes an excellent groundcover that blends into the background or softens the edges of a planting area. Cotoneasters are very popular garden shrubs, grown for their attractive habit and decorative fruit.

Understanding the Context

Some cultivars are of known parentage, such as the very popular Cotoneaster × watereri Exell (Waterer's cotoneaster; C. frigidus × C. salicifolius), while others are of mixed or unknown heritage. [4] Cotoneaster shrubs are ideal for planting as ground covers, hedges, rockeries, and topiary.

Key Insights

Learn about 21 of the best varieties now. Sparkling fall color from foliage, fruits, or both, is the main attraction of cotoneaster – a varied group shrubs and trees loved for their bold berries. Most are deciduous, although some of the most widely planted are evergreen shrubs, and there are two obvious features they all have in common. Cotoneasters are versatile and low-maintenance shrubs that look good all year round and offer richly coloured berries through autumn and winter. Andy McIndoe, horticulturalist and shrub expert, gives advice on growing them and recommends the best varieties.

Final Thoughts

Learn all about cotoneaster - choose the best ones to grow, where to buy, where to plant and care advice from RHS experts All you need to know about growing and caring for cotoneaster plants, with varieties to grow. This article has been checked for horticultural accuracy by Oliver Parsons. Cotoneasters make useful garden shrubs and groundcover plants, with most of them growing well in sun and partial shade. Learn more about cotoneaster This shrub, most often found to be part of a hedge, a shrub bed or for ground cover, is distinctive thanks to its very ornamental red berries.