1 / 6
At a Glance
TypeShrub
HabitSpreading
FoliageSemi-evergreen
Height5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 m)
Width5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m)
Maturity6 years
Overview
Cotoneaster franchetii is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub reaching 5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 m) tall with a spread of 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m). Branches arch outward and upward in a fountain-like form. Leaves are oval, 1/2–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) long, with a dull grayish-green upper surface and a densely white-tomentose underside; the felted underside is visible when branches move and creates a two-toned effect. Foliage is retained through mild winters but may drop partially in temperatures below 10°F (−12°C), making the plant semi-evergreen in colder climates. Small pinkish-white flowers appear in corymbs of 5–15 blooms in late spring. Orange-red to salmon-orange berries, 1/4–3/8 inch (6–9 mm) in diameter, ripen in fall and persist through December into February if not consumed by birds. Growth rate is moderate; plants approach mature dimensions in 5–8 years. The open, arching structure can become leggy without occasional pruning to remove oldest canes.
Native Range
Native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of southwestern China. Found on open hillsides, rocky slopes, and forest margins at elevations of 5,000–10,000 feet (1,500–3,000 m). Naturalized in parts of western Europe and western North America.Suggested Uses
Planted as a mid-size screening shrub or informal hedge at 5–6 foot (1.5–1.8 m) spacing. Used on slopes and banks for erosion control at 4–5 foot (1.2–1.5 m) spacing. The arching form suits mixed shrub borders where its scale fits between small groundcovers and large background shrubs. Not suited for foundation plantings within 6 feet (1.8 m) of structures.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 7'
Width/Spread5' - 8'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers in May through June in USDA zones 6–9. Corymbs of 5–15 pinkish-white flowers; total bloom period spans 3–4 weeks. Berry development begins in late summer; fruits reach full orange-red color by October. Berries persist through February in most climates if undisturbed by birds. In zones 6–7, hard frost events below 10°F (−12°C) may cause significant leaf drop; plants releaf fully by late spring.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dull grayish-green above, densely white-tomentose beneathGrowing 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 for the first two growing seasons; established plants tolerate 3–4 weeks without supplemental irrigation but produce fewer berries during dry summers. Plants in full sun develop denser growth and heavier fruiting than those in partial shade. Remove oldest canes at the base every 3–4 years to maintain a more open, well-structured form; without pruning, the interior becomes congested and bare. Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) affects this species; prune infected wood 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) below symptoms and sterilize tools between cuts. Woolly aphids may colonize the undersides of leaves in spring. Plants in heavy clay with poor drainage develop root rot within 1–2 seasons.Pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth emerges, or in early summer immediately after flowering. Remove up to one-third of the oldest canes at ground level annually to encourage new arching growth from the base. Renovation pruning to 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) is possible; recovery and return to full fruiting takes 2–3 seasons. Avoid fall pruning, as cuts made after August may not callus before frost in zones 6–7.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early springlate spring