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Prostrate Willowleaf Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster salicifolius (koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter sal-iss-ih-FOH-lee-us)

Family: Rosaceae Non-native Groundcover

'Repens' is a low-growing groundcover with dark-green lustrous leaves that may be semi-evergreen in severe winters. It is similar to Willowleaf Cotoneaster but grows only to 1 foot tall with an eight-foot spread. Masses of white flowers are produced in spring and are followed by showy red fruits that persist into winter. The 1-inch leaves are smaller than Willowleaf Cotoneaster and are glossy dark green. They may take on a purplish hue in winter. Quick ID Hints : Low-growing, fountain-like, evergreen shrub Branching occurs in 1 plane- herringbone pattern The Red berry has 5-pointed star at the end Alternate, elliptic-oblong leaves Please consider planting natives. See alternate choices to the left. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to scale insects and aphids, including woolly aphids. Also, fireblight, leaf spot and virus diseases. More information on Cotoneaster salicifolius .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 58 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 5 - Groundcover Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

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 plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
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); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
1-2 inch leaves are dark green with a gray pubescent underside. They are alternate, simple and elliptic-oblong.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Corymb
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small white flowers appear in clusters in May. Individual flowers are 1/4 inch and have a weakly fetid odor.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Produces large amounts of showy red pome fruits that persist into winter.
Bark detail
Grayish brown bark
Stem detail
Slender stems that branch in one plane.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China
Attracts
Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Pome
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Recreational Play Area; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Mass Planting
Garden tags
#showy fruits #easy to grow #low growing #drought tolerant #low maintenance #spreading #evergreen #slopes #fantz #shrub #stream banks #showy flowers #full sun tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Drought; Salt
Propagation
Seed; Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.