Caring for Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster franchettii is low-maintenance once established. Water needs are low; in most years, rainfall is sufficient. During prolonged dry spells in summer, water deeply every two to three weeks rather than little and often, encouraging deep root growth. Newly planted specimens need more attention in their first year—water weekly if conditions are dry. Feed in March or April with a general-purpose granular fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone or Growmore, scattered around the base at roughly 70 g per square metre. Rake it lightly into the soil surface. A single spring feed supports healthy foliage and flowering; cotoneaster is not a heavy feeder and performs well on poor to average soils without additional feeding. Refresh the mulch layer each spring, topping up to 5–7 cm with garden compost or bark. Keep mulch away from the stem to prevent rot. Being evergreen and hardy to zone 5a, Cotoneaster franchettii needs no winter protection in temperate Europe. The foliage may bronze slightly in harsh winters but recovers in spring. Pests and diseases are rarely serious. Fireblight—a bacterial disease causing blackened, scorched-looking shoots—occasionally affects cotoneaster. If you see symptoms, prune out affected growth immediately, cutting back to healthy wood, and disinfect tools between cuts. Aphids may cluster on soft new growth in spring; a strong jet of water or an insecticidal soap usually resolves the problem. Cotoneaster is generally trouble-free and requires little intervention beyond the occasional tidy.