Back

Cotoneaster by size

Variable in size; larger plants are ideal in borders as a backdrop for other plants, or when planted as specimen plants. Smaller low-growing types are suitable for groundcover. Most are evergreen to semi-evergreen, with some deciduous varieties that have autumn colour.   

Practical tips

Some species of cotoneaster are potentially invasive. These include Cotoneaster bullatus, Cotoneaster horizontalis and Cotoneaster simonsii. It is still lawful to purchase and grow these in gardens, but where possible seek alternatives, especially if your property borders open countryside or an ecologically sensitive site such as a nature reserve, designated SSSI or National Park.  

Under 1m (ideal for groundcover) 

Cotoneaster procumbens 'Queen of Carpets'
Cotoneaster procumbens 'Queen of Carpets'
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>procumbens</em> 'Queen of Carpets'
Cotoneaster atropurpureus 'Variegatus' (v)
Cotoneaster atropurpureus 'Variegatus' (v)
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>atropurpureus</em> 'Variegatus' (v)
Cotoneaster adpressus
Cotoneaster adpressus
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>adpressus</em>
Cotoneaster dammeri
Cotoneaster dammeri
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>dammeri</em>
Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Coral Beauty'
Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Coral Beauty'
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> × <em>suecicus</em> 'Coral Beauty'
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Gnom'
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Gnom'
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>salicifolius</em> 'Gnom'
Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Juliette' (v)
Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Juliette' (v)
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> × <em>suecicus</em> 'Juliette' (v)

Height 1.5 to 3m 

Cotoneaster amoenus
Cotoneaster amoenus
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>amoenus</em>
Cotoneaster simonsii
Cotoneaster simonsii
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>simonsii</em>
Cotoneaster bullatus
Cotoneaster bullatus
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>bullatus</em>
Cotoneaster dielsianus
Cotoneaster dielsianus
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>dielsianus</em>
Cotoneaster sternianus
Cotoneaster sternianus
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>sternianus</em>
Cotoneaster franchetii
Cotoneaster franchetii
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>franchetii</em>
Cotoneaster horizontalis
Cotoneaster horizontalis
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>horizontalis</em>
Cotoneaster sikangensis
Cotoneaster sikangensis
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>sikangensis</em>
Cotoneaster 'Hybridus Pendulus'
Cotoneaster 'Hybridus Pendulus'
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> 'Hybridus Pendulus'
Cotoneaster conspicuus 'Decorus'
Cotoneaster conspicuus 'Decorus'
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>conspicuus</em> 'Decorus'
Cotoneaster naoujanensis 'Berried Treasure'
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 1–1.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>naoujanensis</em> 'Berried Treasure'

Height 3 to 5m

Cotoneaster × watereri
Cotoneaster × watereri
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> × <em>watereri</em>
Cotoneaster 'Exburiensis'
Cotoneaster 'Exburiensis'
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> 'Exburiensis'
Cotoneaster salicifolius
Cotoneaster salicifolius
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>salicifolius</em>
Cotoneaster lacteus
Cotoneaster lacteus
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>lacteus</em>
Cotoneaster harrovianus
Cotoneaster harrovianus
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>harrovianus</em>
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Avonbank'
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Avonbank'
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>salicifolius</em> 'Avonbank'
Cotoneaster × watereri 'John Waterer'
Cotoneaster × watereri 'John Waterer'
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> × <em>watereri</em> 'John Waterer'
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Pink Champagne'
Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Pink Champagne'
  • 2.5–4 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>salicifolius</em> 'Pink Champagne'

Height above 5m 

  •
Cotoneaster frigidus
  • 8–12 metres
  • Wider than 8 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>frigidus</em>
Cotoneaster floccosus
Cotoneaster floccosus
  • 4–8 metres
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> <em>floccosus</em>
Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'
Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'
  • 4–8 metres
  • 2.5–4 metres
<em>Cotoneaster</em> 'Cornubia'

Advertise here

Love gardening

Sign up to receive regular gardening tips, inspiration, offers and more

View our Privacy Policy

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.