Autumn – Natures Natural Time For Planting

Cotoneasters covered in berries are one of the highlights of autumn. They may not have the most startling flowers in early summer but the autumn display can be quite dazzling on a drab and overcast day.

Cotoneaster are totally hardy, ornamental shrubs which will tolerate any soil. Most varieties grow 2-3 metres in height when mature and different species and varieties have their places as hedging plants, wall shrubs and border plants. Some also create good ground cover on steep banks.

Burncoose stocks 18 different varieties of Cotoneaster and Caerhays Castle Gardens grows around 50 different species and varieties of Cotoneaster. As you can see the berries range in colour from yellow to orange, red, purple and black.

Here are a few of the most popular Cotoneasters and a couple of newer species introduced into cultivation more recently which are exceptional.