Pot Grown Franchet Cotoneaster
(Cotoneaster franchetii)

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

The Franchet Cotoneaster hedging is known for its foliage of sage coloured leaves that have white undersides, which are followed by five-petalled, dusty pink-white flowers in May, and then in Autumn, rich orange-red coloured berries. These attributes make the Cotoneaster Franchetii a perfect hedging species for wildlife (mostly birds), and their habitats, who love to feed on the delicious berries during Winter.

This hedging species has also proven to be successful at reducing pollution in areas with heavy traffic, as they soak up roughly 20%, or more, of the toxins than other varieties of hedging. This is due to their evergreen, concentrated, hairy leaves.

People sometimes compare the Franchet Cotoneaster to the Cotoneaster Lacteus, however, the key difference between the two is that the Cotoneaster Franchetii is a lot more upright and does not need a wall or fence to support it.

The Cotoneaster Franchetii is a very durable and hardy plant that is suitable for all soils (except from wet), as well as being tolerant to any situation- that is from sun to a dense shade. As well as this, you may notice that some leaves fall or turn a different colour during a cold winter. Do not worry, this is normal- even though it is an evergreen, the foliage does not do too well in very cold winters. However, you are not likely to be faced with this often, and you are more likely to find yourself with a lovely windbreaking hedge that provides year-round interest.

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

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

Pruning your Franchet Cotoneaster is quite a simple process. All we recommend you to do is trimming your plant after the berries have fallen; this will just keep it under control and maintain a size/shape. Once you have done the pruning, however, we also suggest you feed it.

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 about 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 lightly to 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.