Cotoneaster salicifolius 'Rothschildianus' | Willow Cotoneaster Tree

Season

Features

Spring

Clusters of small white flowers bloom in late spring, attracting pollinators. ​

Summer

Glossy green foliage maintains a lush appearance, providing a verdant backdrop.​

Autumn

Abundant creamy-yellow berries emerge, offering visual interest and food for birds. ​

Winter

Semi-evergreen leaves persist in mild winters, adding structure and color to the garden.

Feature

Benefit

Award-Winning

Recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit for exceptional garden performance. ​

Seasonal Interest

Offers year-round appeal with white spring flowers, creamy-yellow autumn berries, and semi-evergreen foliage. ​

Wildlife Friendly

Attracts pollinators with its flowers and provides food for birds through its berries. ​

Hardy and adaptable, requiring minimal care once established. ​

Versatile Growth Habit

Features graceful arching branches, suitable for hedging, screening, or as a standalone specimen.

Step

Instructions

Planting Time

Best planted between October and April. Container-grown specimens can be planted year-round, but autumn or winter planting is preferable for easier establishment. ​

Spacing

Allow approximately 4–8 meters between plants to accommodate mature spread. ​

Sunlight Position

Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Suitable for south, west, or east-facing aspects. ​

Watering

Water regularly during the first year, especially in dry periods, to establish a strong root system. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. ​

Soil Type

Prefers well-drained soil. Tolerant of chalk, clay, loam, or sand soils with acid, neutral, or alkaline pH. ​

Fertilising

Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to encourage healthy growth and berry production. ​

Mulching

Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot. ​

Issue

Solution

Pests

Generally pest-free, but may occasionally be affected by aphids, scale insects, or cotoneaster webber caterpillars. ​

Diseases

Rarely affected by diseases; however, it can be susceptible to fireblight and honey fungus, though this is uncommon. ​

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth. Remove up to 20% of older stems at the base to promote healthy development. ​

Wildlife

Benefits

Pollinators

The clusters of white flowers in early summer are rich in nectar, attracting bees and other pollinating insects.

Birds

The creamy-yellow berries that appear in autumn provide a food source for birds, especially during the colder months when other resources are scarce. ​

Habitat

Its dense, arching branches offer shelter and nesting opportunities for various bird species, enhancing garden biodiversity. ​