102 gardener saves
Cotoneaster: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Cotoneaster varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedStreibs Findling Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri 'Streibs Findling'
#2 most savedPeking Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster acutifolius
#3 most savedLowfast Bearberry Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri 'Lowfast'
Rockspray Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Autumn Inferno Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster 'Autumn Inferno'
Tom Thumb Creeping Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb'
Rockspray Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster horizontalis 'Hessei'
Prostrate Willowleaf Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Repens'
Willowleaf Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Scarlet Leader'
How to grow Cotoneaster
What the Cotoneaster varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cotoneaster year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Prune after flowering to shape or remove any errant upright shoots.
- Check for PestsMay and June89% of varieties
Monitor for aphids on new growth and woolly aphids on stems.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October78% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall, providing ample space to spread.
Do
- Provide good drainage.
- Water regularly during the first year.
- Once established, water only during severe drought.
- Prune out any dead or diseased wood as it appears.
- Allow it to develop its natural, graceful form.
Avoid
- Don't plant in waterlogged soil.
- Avoid frequent, shallow watering.
- Do not shear into a formal shape; it ruins the habit.
- Avoid planting in areas known to have issues with fire blight.
What goes wrong with Cotoneaster
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Cotoneaster Webworm | Larvae create silk webs over foliage and feed within them, causing defoliation. | Prune out and destroy webbed nests. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) when larvae are young. Use a pyrethroid-based insecticide for heavy infestations. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing on leaves, stippling, and discoloration. | Spray with a strong stream of water. Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Lace Bugs | Yellow or whitish stippling on upper leaf surfaces; dark, varnish-like spots on the undersides. | Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring good coverage of leaf undersides. Encourage beneficial insects like lacewings. |
| Scale Insects | Small, hard bumps on stems, sometimes with sticky honeydew. | Spray with horticultural oil during the dormant season. Use systemic insecticides for severe cases. |
| Fire Blight | Branches suddenly wilt and turn black, looking scorched. Cankers may form on stems. | There is no cure. Prune infected limbs well below the damage, disinfecting tools between each cut. Avoid over-fertilizing. |
| Canker | Sunken, discolored areas on stems and branches, often leading to dieback. | Prune out and destroy infected branches well below the canker. Improve plant vigor with proper watering and siting. Avoid wounding the bark. |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves. | Generally cosmetic; improve air circulation and clean up fallen leaves. |
Making more Cotoneaster
Layering
- Select a low-growing branch in spring.
- Bend it to the ground and slightly wound the bark on the underside.
- Pin the branch to the soil and cover with a mound of soil.
- Roots will form in 6-12 months; then sever from the parent plant.
Semi-hardwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings in mid to late summer.
- Select wood that is firm but still flexible.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a well-drained medium and keep humid.
- Roots should form in 6-8 weeks.
Cotoneaster questions
How many types of Cotoneaster are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Cotoneaster varieties. The most popular — ranked by 102 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cotoneaster grow in?
Across its varieties, Cotoneaster covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cotoneaster bloom?
Most Cotoneaster varieties bloom in late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cotoneaster should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cotoneaster shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cotoneaster in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
