Pot Grown Himalayan Cotoneaster
(Cotoneaster simonsii)

We've dedicated time and care into growing your pot grown plant, so it arrives looking stunningly new and healthy.

Being a semi-evergreen, the Cotoneaster simonsii will retain its leaves in mild winters, but you cannot be so sure in colder and harsher winters. Besides this, it is an upright hedge, boasting little, deep-green leaves (looking quite dense), in which some may turn a bright red during Autumn, and are followed by delicate pink-white flowers around June (which the bees love!). The flowers are then stringed along with large, bright berries in the autumn- which the plant is most known for.

You can leave it to grow on its own into a beautiful hedge, or you can put it alongside the Cotoneaster Franchetii that has bright orange berries, for example, which will add year-round interest and pop of colours to your garden. It is the ideal hedge if you are looking for a stunning wall cover, too.

As the Cotoneaster simonsii originates from the Himalayas, it can tolerate very cold weather and will retain pretty much all its leaves in all but the harshest winters.

The Himalayan Cotoneaster prefers to be planted in a sunny site, with well-drained normal soil. Doing this is likely to provide you with the best and most attractive Cotoneaster simonsii.

• Growth height: Average (20-40cm per year)
• Ideal height: 1.2m-2.5m Medium
• Soil Type: Normal
• Exposure: Coastal, Exposed, Inland, Sheltered
• Aspect: Sun
• Evergreen foliage? Yes

As it is pot grown, you can leave the plant for a few days/weeks before planting it. Just ensure you keep the plant well-watered, and it gets enough sun. Do not leave it for to long, however, as you don't want the roots becoming root bound.

The Himalayan Cotoneaster will thrive best between 1m and 1.5m, but you can leave it to get taller than this if desired. You must ensure you prune the plant early in the year, along with additional pruning of strong shoots after the flowering period.

1. Prepare the soil by mixing in some compost. Dig the hole- this will have to be about twice the width of the root system, but the same depth.
2. Remove the plant from its pot by placing one hand on the base of the plant, and the other at the bottom of the pot. Wriggle the pot away gently.
3. Untangle the roots a little as they may be clumped together.
4. Place the plant into the hole, ensuring the base of the stem is level with the surface of the soil. Follow this with backfilling the hole with your soil mix, and patting down to lightly secure.
5. When you're done, thoroughly water the plant. Ensure you regularly water throughout its first year, as the plant needs plenty to be able to settle down, recover, and establish.