Beautiful shrub used as a hedge trimmer or as a plant wall with wonderful blooms, but if there is something that this plant deserves to be cultivated, it is because of its spectacular fruiting, since it gives rise to a dense bush full of red fruits that last until winter.

 

Its bearing is creeping and has deciduous or semi-persistent leaves, depending on the type of climate in which it is grown. It reaches a height of 0.3 to 0.8 m and 0.5 to 2 m in width, since its growth is horizontal due to its horizontal branches that are arranged in the shape of a herringbone with a certain inclination towards the ground.

 

The small leaves (6-12 mm) are oval, having an alternate growth, in distal arrangement and mucronate at the apex, bright green on the upper side, and glaucous on the underside. In autumn they can have light red and orange tints, adding more attractiveness to the fruits.

 

They bloom abundantly in spring with small whitish flowers, which will give rise to very decorative small berries and in great quantity, which persist on the branches for a long time even last in the first snowfalls, giving a color contrast with the snow.

There are many varieties of Cotoneaster horizontalis. For example, there is a compact form that is practically dwarf and with less horizontal development, ideal for small gardens.

 

 

It needs high exposures of sun, but they adapt well to the partial shade, reducing the flowering, that yes, they do not accept the intense shade or the humid places. So you need not too wet and well drained soils. Accepting poor soils.

 

The Cotoneaster is very resistant to cold, since it supports up to extreme temperatures of -15ºC.

Its reproduction is done through seeds, although it can also be done through cuttings in summer. When it is intended to reproduce by seeds, it is convenient that they previously pass a cold period, easy to do by putting them in the fridge for a while.

 

 

As already mentioned, it is a very decorative shrub throughout the year thanks to its red fruits. That is why it is used as an ornamental, to cover floors, walls and rockeries. It grows forming a dense and impenetrable network. Very useful as upholstery (slopes) and in rockery, it is also used for the formation of informal hedges. It is also very interesting for bonsai fans, as it supports pruning very well.