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Cotoneaster buxifolius
Boxwood Cotoneaster
Himalayan region — northern India, Nepal, southwest China
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Overview
Cotoneaster buxifolius is a mounded evergreen shrub reaching 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) tall and 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) wide, with a dense, twiggy branching structure and gracefully arching stems. Leaves are small, oval to nearly circular, measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6–13 mm) long with a glossy dark green upper surface and a pale, finely hairy underside. Foliage remains on the plant year-round, with minimal color change through seasons. In spring, small pinkish-white flowers approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) across appear singly or in small clusters along the stems; flowers are 5-petaled and attract small pollinators. Berries ripen to bright red by early autumn, each approximately 1/4 inch (6 mm) in diameter, and persist into winter unless consumed by birds. Growth rate is slow to moderate; the shrub may require 3–5 years to reach mature spread. Lower branches tend to layer spontaneously where they contact moist soil. In exposed sites or during hard winters in zone 6, some marginal leaf browning and dieback of branch tips can occur.
Native Range
Native to the Himalayan region including northern India, Nepal, and southwest China, occurring on rocky slopes, scrub, and forest margins from approximately 5,000 to 9,000 feet (1,500–2,750 m) elevation.Suggested Uses
Commonly planted in mixed shrub borders, foundation plantings, and informal hedges at spacings of 3–5 feet (90–150 cm). The low mounded form suits rock gardens and slope plantings where some erosion stabilization is needed. Unsuitable as a formal clipped hedge due to its natural arching habit and susceptibility to heavy shearing stress.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers appear in spring, typically May through June in zones 6–8. Individual flowers are short-lived, lasting 1–2 weeks; the full flowering period extends 3–4 weeks. Fruit set follows pollination and berries ripen red by September–October, persisting through winter in the absence of bird feeding pressure.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above, pale and finely hairy belowGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water weekly during the first growing season; established plants tolerate moderate drought but fruit production declines in soils that remain dry for more than 3–4 weeks. Plant in well-drained soil; standing water around the root zone for more than 48 hours increases susceptibility to root rot. Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) can affect plants, particularly in warm, wet spring conditions; infected branches show blackened, shepherd's-crook dieback and should be pruned 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) below visible infection. Spider mites may infest plants in hot, dry locations during summer. No fertilization is required on adequate soils; high nitrogen applications produce excessive soft growth prone to fireblight. The shrub is generally long-lived with minimal intervention once established.Pruning
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, removing dead or damaged branches back to healthy wood. Light shaping can be done after the main flush of spring growth to maintain desired form, though heavy shearing produces an unnatural appearance. If fireblight is present, sterilize cutting tools between cuts with a 10% bleach solution. Remove layered stems that have rooted in unwanted areas to control spread.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
Minimum container size: 7 gallons