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Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Repens'
creeping willowleaf cotoneaster
Southwestern China (Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou) — cultivar is garden selection
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Overview
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Repens' is a low, arching evergreen shrub reaching 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) tall with a spread of 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 m). This cultivar of the upright species C. salicifolius (which reaches 10–15 feet/3–4.5 m) is selected for its prostrate, spreading habit. Branches arch outward and downward, producing a semi-mounding groundcover form that differs from the completely flat habit of C. dammeri. Leaves are narrow and willow-like, 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long and 1/4–1/2 inch (6–13 mm) wide, with a glossy dark green upper surface, pronounced parallel venation, and a slightly paler, felted underside. Small white flowers appear in corymbs in late spring. Bright red berries, 1/4 inch (6 mm) in diameter, ripen in fall and persist through winter. Growth rate is moderate; plants spread 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) per year and reach mature width in 4–6 years. The arching stems cascade over walls and edges; stems may root at contact points with soil.
Native Range
The parent species Cotoneaster salicifolius is native to Yunnan, Sichuan, and Guizhou provinces of southwestern China, found on rocky hillsides and forest margins at elevations of 4,000–9,000 feet (1,200–2,700 m). The cultivar Repens is a garden selection; it does not occur in the wild.Suggested Uses
Planted as a low groundcover on slopes and banks at 3–4 foot (90–120 cm) spacing; stems root where they contact soil and stabilize the surface. Used along pathways, at the base of walls, and cascading over retaining walls. Suited to rock gardens where its narrow foliage and arching form are distinct from broader-leaved groundcovers. Not suited for foot-traffic areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 1'6"
Width/Spread4' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Colors
Flower Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers in May through June in USDA zones 6–8. Corymbs of 10–20 small white flowers; total bloom period spans 3–4 weeks. Berry development begins in August; fruits reach full red color by October. Berries persist through February in most climates if not consumed by birds. Foliage may take on slight bronzing in cold winters but remains evergreen through zone 6.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Glossy dark green above with pronounced parallel venation, paler and slightly felted beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 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 two growing seasons; established plants tolerate 3–4 weeks without irrigation but spread more slowly during drought. Plants in full sun produce denser foliage and heavier berry crops than those in partial shade. Trim edge growth 1–2 times per year to contain spread. Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) can affect individual stems; remove infected wood 8–12 inches (20–30 cm) below symptoms and sterilize pruning tools between cuts. Scale insects occasionally colonize older stems. Foliage may develop a slight bronze cast in cold winters; this is cosmetic and does not indicate cold damage unless accompanied by leaf drop below 0°F (-18°C).Pruning
Trim stray stems to contain spread 1–2 times per season using hand shears; a single annual trim in early spring before new growth suffices on most sites. Remove dead or damaged stems at any time. Plants tolerate hard renovation pruning to 6 inches (15 cm) from the crown; recovery takes 1–2 seasons. Avoid shearing the entire canopy, as interior stems are weakened by loss of foliage. No pruning is required for plant health on well-sited specimens.Pruning Schedule
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early springlate spring