Rayner Trafford

An important shrub variety which grows fast and are used by many people because of both the fall foliage of their leaves and for their berries, rock cotoneaster plants are deciduous flowering shrubs. In plant taxonomy they are classified as Cotoneaster horizontalis. These plants are most commonly used in rock gardens. These shrubs spread horizontally and they have small leaves whose fall foliage ranges from reddish orange to burgundy. The branching of these shrubs is stiff and dense, and it gives a bristly look to the plant. It reaches a height of 3 inches and width of 15 inches. During many a pest and building inspection, building inspection experts have suggested the use of this plant in the yard because of its fast growing nature. It is better that you grow rock cotoneaster shrubs in moist but well- drained, loamy soil. These plants, once established, are drought tolerant but it is good that you water them once in a while. Also, it is found out that these plants will profit from a touch of afternoon shade, even though they are considered plants for full sun. Rock cotoneaster shrubs are a nice example for plant with four season interest. They produce flowers in late spring, hosts glossy green leaves in summer, bear both attractive fall foliage and berries in the autumn and thereafter the red berries persist and remain attractive into early winter. Birds find the berries a favorite food source by late winter. These plants attract not only birds but also bees and butterflies and they are deer resistant. They are often used as ground covers and in rock gardens.