Weeping Cotoneaster Cotoneaster hybridus Pendulus
Description & features
British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Select plant type
Bare root guideSize and quantity
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT
All prices include VAT

British Grown - The British Grown logo denotes plants and trees that have been both propagated and grown in the UK. Read more
Product description
COTONEASTER HYBRIDUS PENDULUS – Weeping Cotoneaster
Characteristics
This Cotoneaster is really a vigorous shrub with slender, prostrate or arching branches. However when top grafted, it makes a very small weeping evergreen tree which has abundant pretty red berries in autumn.
As it is grafted on a stem its height is controlled by the height of the stem it is produced with.
Where to grow
Cotoneasters are easy to grow and will do best in fertile sandy loams, but will adapt to even poor soils as long as these are not marshy or waterlogged.
Did you know?
The name ‘Cotoneaster’ was first published by Friedrich Kasimir Medikus (1738–1808), German physician and botanist, after 1753, the date which botanical nomenclature commences. It derives from ‘cotone’, quince and ‘-aster’ meaning inferior, imperfect or wild.
Features
- Mature height
- Very Small up to 5 metres
- Spread
- 0-5 metres
- Shape / habit
- Weeping
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Soil type
- All soil types
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Medium
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Winter
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Fine/Light leaf
- Small leaves
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering type
- Single
- Flowering month
- May
- Scent
- Scented Flowers
- Berries / fruit colour
- Red
- Uses
- Garden Tree
- Small garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Bee Friendly
- Flower Arranging
- Suitable for Containers
- Suitable for Patio
Features
- Mature height
- Very Small up to 5 metres
- Spread
- 0-5 metres
- Shape / habit
- Weeping
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Soil type
- All soil types
- Sun levels
- Full sun
- Partial shade
- Difficulty / hard to grow
- Medium
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Winter
- Leaf
- Green
- Foliage
- Fine/Light leaf
- Small leaves
- Flower colour
- White
- Flowering type
- Single
- Flowering month
- May
- Scent
- Scented Flowers
- Berries / fruit colour
- Red
- Uses
- Garden Tree
- Small garden Tree
- City/Urban Sites
- Bee Friendly
- Flower Arranging
- Suitable for Containers
- Suitable for Patio
Aftercare
Pruning Cotoneaster Hybridus Pendulus
Cotoneaster hybridus Pendulus is a top grafted tree with a weeping habit, so pruning should only be used to remove awkward shoots above the graft. Remove branches that are growing vertically as these will disrupt the outline and take out congested growth while young.
What time of year should I prune? Prune in winter, or carry out light pruning after flowering in spring.
For the continued healthy growth of your trees, shrubs or hedging it is vital that you follow the advice below.
Watering
The main reason that plants die within 12 months of having been planted is lack of water. It is essential throughout the spring and summer, to give a heavy enough watering to enable the water to penetrate right down to the deepest root level of the tree. In hot dry spells give the equivalent of 2 bucketfuls every three days.
Weed Control
One of the most common causes of lack of water is competition from grass. When trees are first establishing, the grass roots would be at the same level as the tree roots and are far more efficient at taking up water and thus choke the tree. It is vital for 3 years after planting that your tree or hedge has a circle or strip one metre wide completely free of grass. The way to eliminate grass in order of effectiveness is:
- Spray off the grass with a glyphosate based weed killer such as Roundup. Apply each year for the first 3 years. It is best applied when the tree is dormant as it is absorbed through green leaves and kills the plant off at the roots.
- Firmly fit a mulch mat around the base of the tree by tucking the edges into the soil and put a thick layer of bark mulch on top of this. This can be done after the initial spraying with glyphosate and should avoid the need for further spraying.
Mowing or strimming is NOT an answer to the problem. Each time you mow, the grass will grow back more vigorously and strimming invariably leads to lacerated trunks.
Staking
If trees are not correctly secured they will rock in the planting pit. Roots not firmly in contact with the soil are unable to take up moisture and nutrients, resulting in die back or death of the tree. Check, particularly after windy weather, that stakes are still solidly in the ground keeping the base of the trunk firm. The purpose of the stakes is to anchor the roots. Flexing in the wind, higher up the trunk, is not necessarily a problem if the roots are firm.
Bellow is list of the correct system to use to secure your trees.
- 40/60, 60/80, 80/100 whips - Unless rabbit/deer problem no need to stake.
- 100/125, 125/150 1.2m Cane and Easi tie.
- 150/175 1.2m square stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- 175/250, 6/8, 8/10 15L 1.65 Tree stake and a buckle tie and spacer.
- All larger trees. 2 x 1.65 Tree stake and cross rail with 38mm cushion spacer and 1m of 38mm strapping.
Ties
Always use our recommended tree ties or strapping. These are designed and manufactured with the correct amount of give to hold the tree firm without strangling it. They should be checked at the end of each growing season for adjustment as the trunk thickens. Non proprietary materials such as baler twine will cut into the bark and should not be used.
Protection from Animal Damage
Rabbits, deer, sheep, cattle and horses can all potentially damage trees. Ask us for advice on the most appropriate guards for your trees or hedge. Squirrels are also a terrible pest when trees get to about 20ft tall but there is no protection available.
By frances deegan on 12/01/2014
I live in the USA, north east, CT region. Would this shrub do well here ?
By Simon on 17/01/2014
Hello Frances,
From my understanding of the US hardy zones, COTONEASTER HYBRIDUS PENDULUS is hardy from zones 6-9.So depending where in the north east you are it could be suitable.
Kind regards,
Simon
By Nel Tindale on 07/05/2014
How close to a fence could this be planted?
By Simon on 12/05/2014
As it is a small tree and can be kept well pruned you could plant it as close to a fence as you like. But I would say 1m+ would be ideal.
Kind regards,
Simon
By keith on 23/04/2015
On tne features it states mature height of 5 metres is this correct, I thought it should be more like 2 metres
By Simon on 01/05/2015
Hello Keith,
That is a size bracket up to 5m. I would say the largest I have seen are about 3m or so tall.
I hope this helps.
By samual boyd on 01/02/2016
Q. IS THE RED BERRIES ON A WEEPING COTONEASTER POISON.
THANK YOU .
By Simon on 05/02/2016
Dear Samuel,
The berries are inedible for humans, but birds like them.