Rockspray cotoneaster is a coarse, dense, slow-growing, shrub that reaches 2-3 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. The Latin name which includes horizontalis refers to its horizontal spreading habit. In its southern reaches, it is semi-evergreen to evergreen. Grows best in well drained, loose, moist, loamy soil in full sun to part shade. It will tolerate poor soil conditions. Once established, it will be drought tolerant. Preferring somewhat cooler temperatures, it may not perform well in locations with hot summers, typically south of zone 7. Spring blooms give way to abundant, showy red fruits. The reddish-purple fall colors are attractive in areas where it is deciduous. The unusual fishbone branch pattern provides year-round interest. Typically used in rock gardens and slopes and can be trained to rock walls, trellises or fences. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Although relatively insect and disease free, lace bug, leaf spot, canker, fireblight and cotoneaster web worm can affect this plant. Mites can also be an issue in hot, dry locations. Its self-sowing properties may necessitate removal of seedlings on a regular basis. If ingested, the fruits can cause stomach upset. VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Orbicular
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
1/2 inch round to elliptic, glossy dark green leaves. Leaves on deciduous plants turn an attractive reddish-purple in fall.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
1/2 inch 5 petaled pink flowers appear in late spring. They are borne singly or in pairs close to the branch.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Oval 1/4 inch wide bright red fruits appear in late summer and are enjoyed by birds.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Greenish to red-brown stems with branchlets arranged in a fishbone pattern. They have hairs when young but become hairless with age. The branching is stiff and flattened.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central & Southern China and Taiwan
Wildlife value
Attracts birds and bees
Attracts
Bees; Songbirds
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Easy to Grow; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Pome
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Walkways