Willowleaf Cotoneaster

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12 - 18 Feet

Mature Spread

6 - 8 Feet

Growing Zones

6 to 8

Enjoy year-round color without much effort required with the Willowleaf Cotoneaster. This vigorous-growing shrub quickly spreads and fills in an area. Arching branches are covered with ovate-shaped shiny green foliage with a leathery texture. The shrub will bloom with a flush of 2-inch wide white flower clusters during late spring to early summer. By fall, the branches will be laden with bold, red berries. This plant is an evergreen to semi-evergreen, and the foliage that stays in place during the winter will have a reddish-purple tint.

Use this large shrub to create a natural border or screen. Plant along a property line or near the edge of a deck or patio to create a more intimate space. Most of the foliage will stay in place throughout the year so that this plant will provide some degree of year-round privacy. The Willowleaf Cotoneaster is a perennial in USDA zones 6 through 8. 

Willowleaf Cotoneaster Care

Plant the Cotoneaster in full sun to partial shade. This plant has average water needs, so give it a drink once a week or whenever the top several inches of soil are dry. Scale back watering this plant during the late summer and fall to prepare for winter. Soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained. Shape the plant after the flowers fade.

Apply a balanced fertilizer once in the spring to encourage new growth. Spread an organic mulch around the plant to retain moisture and provide a nutritional boost.

Willowleaf Cotoneaster Spacing

The Willowleaf Cotoneaster is a large, upright shrub that will grow 12 to 18 feet tall. The branches will spread 6 to 8 feet. Plants can be spaced as close as 4 to 6 feet to create a consistent planting.