Himalayan Cotoneaster
(Cotoneaster simonsii)

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

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.

When should I plant Himalayan Cotoneaster hedging?

The best time to plant Himalayan Cotoneaster is throughout autumn, when the temperature is a little cooler.

How far apart do you plant Himalayan Cotoneaster plants?

For the best results, we recommend planting around 3-4 plants per metre.

How to plant Himalayan Cotoneaster:

Begin by digging a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the plant's root ball. Save the soil to use as backfill, but remove any weeds or rocks.

Try to break up any densely matted roots before placing into the hole; your Cotoneaster plants should be planted at ground level.

Once planted, backfill the hole with the excess soil and amend with peat moss or compost. After this, thoroughly water the plant (you will need to water 2 or 3 times each week for the first year after planting). Ensure you spread a decent layer of mulch around the base of the plants, too, to help supress any weeds - this mulch will also help the plant to survive in very cold conditions, as it helps retain any warmth and moisture that remains in the soil.