Photo of Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort. foliage, fruit by Evan Bean

Photo by Evan Bean

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Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort.

Scientific Name: Cotoneaster hodjingensis

Also Known As

  • Gray Leaf Cotoneaster

Plant type

shrub, perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 3'-4'
  • W: 6'-8'

planting zones

  • 7a-10b

More Options

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort. plant details

Known as Cotoneaster glaucophyllus in the horticulture trade, this grey leaved cotoneaster differs significantly from the true Cotoneaster glaucophyllus. Where this plant is a low, arching ground cover with tiny leaves about 1/4" long, the true Cotoneaster glaucophyllus is a 10-15 foot tall shrub with leaves from 1 to over 2 inches long.

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort. is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover shrub with blue foliage. In spring white flowers emerge followed by orange and red fruit. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, lean, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort.

Plant type: perennial groundcover shrub
Plant family: rosaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 6 FT - 8 FT - wide, 3 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort.

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: pollution
Soil needs: average, lean, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Cotoneaster glaucophyllus displays smoky gray-green foliage on an evergreen shrub with arching branches. Clusters of snow-white flowers are followed by long-lasting red berries. Thrives in any type of soil but not too dry. Grayleaf Cotoneaster is often used as a groundcover and is also useful for erosion control. Excellent for edging and rock gardens.
Orange winter berries feed the birds while this small, evergreen shrub provides texture in the garden, the tiny leaves, dark gray-green with lighter undersides, on upright stems that arch with age. To 4' tall and spreading to 4-5' wide, but easily trimmed to any size. Pinkish-white flowers appear in early summer. Good as a small hedge or ground cover in sun to part shade. Drought tolerant once established but accepts summer water. Frost hardy in upper USDA zone 7.
Spreading, evergreen shrub with oval, gray-green leaves. Cymes of 15-40 white flowers are produced in midsummer, followed in late autumn by orange-red fruit to 1/4" long. From China and rarely seen in the trade. Our original cuttings came from the National Arboretum. So RARE it's not even in the' Bible of Shrubs' - the Dirr book!

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Here's another excellent plant whose name we're not quite sure of. Apparently Cotoneaster glaucophyllus in China, where many of these are native, is something different than what we are calling this plant in horticulture - hence the odd “HORT” appended to the name. So, what's so special about this one? It is excellent in foliage, flower and fruit. The small leaves have a grayish color and are held on rather stout stems. White flowers cover the plant in spring, and these are followed by a generous display of red berries which remain on the plant for a long time. Unlike some Cotoneasters it is a slow to moderate grower and does not spread out and take over the world. Expect it to reach 3 - 4' tall and a little wider under average conditions, though it can get somewhat larger than that after a great many years. It tolerates sun or partial shade, and moderately droughty to irrigated soil. Hardy to at least 0 °F.

Gardening facts about Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort. plant

How to Grow Cotoneaster glaucophyllus hort.

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Special Situation

    • pollution tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer

Features

  • Fruit

    • red
    • orange
  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen

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