Cotoneaster Horizontalis Ground Cover
You are here:
Home » Ground Cover » Cotoneaster Ground Cover » Cotoneaster Horizontalis Ground Cover
Cotoneaster Horizontalis (Herringbone Cotoneaster, Wall Spray Cotoneaster)
Cotoneaster Horizontalis is a super shrub with a naturally spreading habit. It has small, glossy dark green leaves that are studded with tiny, pinkish-white flowers in May, followed by bright red autumn berries that turn red before they fall, to provide excellent late colour to the garden. It is popular for the characteristic herringbone pattern of its stems that re-appears each autumn after a fine show of orange and red foliage colours. The stems develop into an attractive, decorative basketwork effect across the ground or on a wall – according to how it is trained. It is invaluable in shade, although its neat pink flowers and bright red berries are more prolific in full sun. The flowers are a magnet for bees and the berries are loved by birds whilst the natural arching shape of the plant make for excellent shelter for wildlife!
Cotoneaster Horizontalis make an excellent, hardy, low growing addition to the front of mixed beds and borders or woodland shadier areas. Highly effective as a weed supressing ground cover carpet, it can also look stunning trained against a wall that will showcase its herringbone pattern. Try planting with Lilac or Spiraea, in a mixed shrub border with Euonymus or a splash of colour from some Heucheras.
If you'd like more information about Cotoneaster Horizontalis Ground Cover just scroll to the bottom of the page.
Very low maintenance, Cotoneaster Horizontalis (Herringbone Cotoneaster, Wall Spray Cotoneaster) ground cover simply require a light trim after flowering to retain the symmetry of the plant and a generous mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant. They will perform best in full sun but are equally happy in partially shaded locations. One thing they do require is moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil until established, when they will tolerate slightly drier soil. They will not thrive in soil that becomes waterlogged so add grit and well-rotted organic matter to clay soils before planting
As a rough guide when planting Cotoneaster Horizontalis as ground cover – 4 plants per square metre is adequate with a little patience, 6 will give better coverage, and 9-12 will make a weed supressing carpet very quickly. These versatile shrubs can also be used as a low hedge up to 100cm tall using 3 plants per metre run of hedge.
How to grow Cotoneaster Horizontalis
Position: Full sun, partial shade
Foliage: Deciduous
Soil and site: Moderately fertile, well drained
Flowering time: May
Growth rate: Moderate
Ultimate height and spread: 100cm high and to 150cm wide
Hardiness: Fully Hardy
Aftercare: Water well until established, avoiding soil becoming waterlogged. Trim in early Spring or late Autumn to maintain shape