2 named cultivars

groundcover

Willowleaf Cotoneaster

$67.93

The Story

Plant Bio

Cotoneaster salicifolius, willowleaf cotoneaster, is a spreading broadleaf evergreen shrub from south central China, two to three feet high and five to six across. Narrow willow-like dark green leaves with grey-haired undersides cover thin reddish-green stems, white saucer-shaped flowers open in spring, and small bright red fruit follows and persists through winter.

The narrow willow-like foliage is finer than most cotoneasters and gives it a lighter, more elegant look as a bank cover. Like others in the genus it is vulnerable to fireblight, which blackens whole shoots as though scorched — cut well below the damage, in dry weather, and disinfect tools between cuts. Do not water it overhead.

Uses & Benefits:

Fine willow-like evergreen foliage with white spring flowers and heavy red winter fruit.

Covers slopes and banks with an elegant fine texture, and needs little once established.

Songbirds strip the berries in winter, and bees and hummingbirds work the spring flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

30 inches

Width

66 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

South central China

Toxicity

Berries are mildly toxic if eaten in quantity

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Nature Hills

In Stock$67.93

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or partial shade in drained soil.
Allow five to six feet of spread per plant.
Water at soil level rather than over the leaves.
Inspect for blackened shoots through wet springs.
Cut fireblight out well below the damage.
Prune only in dry weather.

Pro Tip

Prune cotoneasters only in dry weather — fireblight bacteria enter through fresh cuts, and wet conditions carry them straight in.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it room to spread six feet 📏
Water at soil level only 💧
Prune in dry weather ✂️
Disinfect tools between cuts 🧴

Don't

Water overhead ❌
Prune in wet spring weather ❌
Compost blighted prunings ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Inspect
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Bank and slope coverLow informal evergreen screenWall tops and rock garden edges

Companion Plants

Juniper NandinaBlue Fescue Sedum Mahonia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Willowleaf Cotoneaster questions

What zones can Willowleaf Cotoneaster grow in?

Willowleaf Cotoneaster is hardy in USDA Zones 6–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Willowleaf Cotoneaster deer resistant?

Yes — Willowleaf Cotoneaster is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Willowleaf Cotoneaster bloom?

Willowleaf Cotoneaster typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Willowleaf Cotoneaster need full sun?

Willowleaf Cotoneaster does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Willowleaf Cotoneaster drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Willowleaf Cotoneaster handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.