Rockspray Cotoneaster

Rockspray Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) is a tough, low groundcover that spreads in a neat, overlapping herringbone pattern. It grows about 1m high and 1.5m wide, with tiny dark green leaves, small white flowers and bright red berries that hang on through autumn and winter. It is listed as frost hardy to minus 20C.

Why you'll love it

• Herringbone branching. The overlapping branch pattern gives it a sculpted look, even in winter when the leaves have dropped.
• Red berries in autumn and winter. Bright red berries follow the small white flowers and stay on through the cold months.
• Extremely frost hardy. It is listed down to minus 20C, so cold gardens are no obstacle.
• Adaptable. It copes with a wide range of soils, light levels and climates.
• Can climb a wall. Planted at the base of a wall and directed upwards, it grows as a kind of wall shrub.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 1m apart for a dense cover. The branches overlap and knit together within a few seasons.

Banks, slopes and retaining walls. It spills over a wall and covers a bank with a layered, sculpted mat.

Against a wall. Plant it at the base and train it upward, where it will climb as a flat wall shrub.

Growing Rockspray Cotoneaster in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi-arid gardens, and the cold is no problem. It loses its leaves in winter.

Soil. Adaptable. It grows in most soils, with good drainage preferred.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. A controlled release fertiliser after flowering promotes a dense habit.

Pruning. Prune after flowering to keep it dense. Birds spread the seed, so pull out any unwanted seedlings while they are small.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rockspray Cotoneaster as tube stock and 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, which is the economical way to cover a bank. The 140mm pots in packs of 10 carry more growth and cover ground sooner.

Tube stock is grown for us and availability moves around. A sold out tube just means the grower has none today, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Groundcover plants
• Plants for retaining walls
• Frost hardy plants
• Plants for mass planting

Common questions

Does it lose its leaves?

Yes. The neat green leaves drop in winter, leaving the herringbone branches and bright red berries.

Can it become a weed?

Birds spread the berries, so seedlings can appear. They pull out easily. If you live next to bushland, check your state or council weed list before planting.

Are the berries safe?

No. The berries are toxic if eaten, so avoid planting it where children or pets may chew them.