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Cotoneaster coriaceus
Parney cotoneaster
Western China: Yunnan and Sichuan provinces
Overview
Cotoneaster coriaceus (often listed as C. lacteus) is a large evergreen shrub growing 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) tall and wide, with arching branches forming a broad rounded outline. The leathery oval leaves measure 1.5-3 inches (4-7 cm) long, glossy dark green above and densely white- to gray-felted beneath, with sunken veins giving a quilted surface. Clusters of small white flowers, each about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across, open in early summer in flat heads of up to 100 blooms. These are followed by long-lasting red pomes roughly 0.25 inch (6 mm) in diameter that ripen in autumn and hold on the branches through winter. The shrub grows in full sun on a wide range of soils and tolerates drought, wind, and coastal salt once established, though it is prone to fireblight in warm humid climates. All parts contain cyanogenic compounds toxic to humans and pets if eaten. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, it is grown as a screen, a clipped or informal hedge, and a wildlife shrub. Bird-dispersed seed allows it to naturalize, and it is listed as an invasive weed in parts of California, New Zealand, and Australia.
Native Range
Cotoneaster coriaceus is native to western China, chiefly Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, where it grows in open woodland, thickets, and on rocky mountain slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a tall screen, a windbreak, and a clipped or informal hedge spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart. It is also used as a freestanding specimen and a wildlife shrub where birds feed on the autumn fruit.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 10'
Width/Spread8' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years
Bloom Information
Flowers open in early summer, generally June. The white blooms appear in broad flattened clusters and draw bees and hoverflies. Red pomes follow in autumn and remain on the plant well into winter as food for birds.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above, densely white- to gray-felted beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Grow in full sun to light shade in any well-drained soil, including chalk and poor ground. Water through the first growing season to settle the roots; established plants tolerate drought, wind, and coastal conditions. The shrub accepts a soil pH from 5.5 to 7.5 and needs no routine feeding. Fireblight can kill shoots and whole branches in warm humid weather, and infected wood should be removed well below the damage. Hardy in USDA zones 7-10, it regrows freely after hard pruning.Pruning
Prune in late winter or after flowering to control size and shape. It tolerates hard cutting back into old wood and can be clipped as a formal hedge, with one or two trims a year. Remove fireblight-affected stems as they appear, cleaning tools between cuts.Pruning Schedule
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