Cotoneaster

There are two main varieties of Cotoneaster grown in the desert Southwest, "Gray" or Small Leaf cotoneaster and "Parney," Large Leaf Cotoneaster.

Both are evergreen shrubs and require full sun and low watering, once established.

Gray cotoneaster has small leaves and only gets about 3 feet high. The plant blooms in the spring and flowers are small and white, followed by masses of red berries, which are very attractive to birds.

Parney's Cotoneaster has larger leaves and is a much larger shrub, 10 feet high and 8 feet wide. Red berries stay on the plant throughout the winter, unless eaten by birds.

Both do very well in the desert landscape, but the Gray Cotoneaster does better in drought situations because of it's smaller leaves.


Back to list of Shrubs