How to Grow and Care for Cotoneaster

Milkflower cotoneaster (Cotoneaster coriaceus) is a small tree or garden shrub that will grow from 4 to 5 m tall. Blooms in late spring to early summer with flowers that range from all white to shades or pink and red. Small round fruit turns from pink to red to black when ripe and can remain on the tree all year. Flowers attract butterflies and bees while the fruit provides food for birds and other small animals. Considered invasive in some regions.

Rockspray cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a low-growing deciduous shrub that makes a colorful accent to your garden. Showy pale pink flowers blossom spring to summer with bright scarlet fruit appearing in late summer to early fall. Glossy dark green leaves turn reddish-purple in fall. Attracts butterflies and birds grows to 30 to 61 cm tall in full sun to partial shade.

Franchet's cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii) is an evergreen shrub that is native to southeastern China but is often cultivated as an ornamental plant and has become naturalized in parts of the British Isles and the American Pacific Northwest. The white or pink flowers are attractive to bees and the red-orange fruit is eaten by birds.

Silverleaf cotoneaster (Cotoneaster pannosus) is a woody shrub that comes originally from southern China. It has been ornamentally introduced in many places around the world, and has become invasive in places like Hawaii, California, and Oregon. Silverleaf cotoneaster generates bright fruits that are a favorite meal for many birds.

Bearberry cotoneaster is a creeping evergreen shrub. Its leathery, glossy green leaves turn a purple hue in the fall. It produces pinky-white flowers which are fragrant and give way to red berries in the fall. The berries should be considered toxic.