Many-Flowered Cotoneaster Shrub Info - Growing Many-Flowered Cotoneasters

White Many-Flowered Cotoneaster Shrub
(Image credit: weisschr)

If you’re looking for a sprawling, large shrub with good visual interest all year-long, consider many-flowered cotoneaster. This species of cotoneaster is a shrub that grows quickly and produces interesting foliage, spring flowers, and fall berries. 

About Cotoneaster Multiflorus

The many-flowered cotoneaster shrub is just as the name describes. This is a fast-growing shrub that produces abundant clusters of white flowers in spring. Native to China, this cotoneaster is hardy through zone 4 in North America. 

The shrub will grow up to 12 or even 15 feet (3.6 to 4.5 m.) tall. Most grow wider than they are tall and have a sprawling, natural sort of appearance. You can trim to shape these shrubs, but the long, drooping branches are attractive when left alone. 

In early spring, many-flowered cotoneaster’s weeping branches transform into long sprays of white flower clusters. The flowers are small and white, about a half inch (1.25 cm.) across. The leaves are small and oval, blue-green in color and attractive in fall. In fall, you’ll also get clusters of bright red berries that are just as showy as the spring flowers. 

Many-Flowered Cotoneaster Care

When growing many-flowered cotoneaster, find a spot where it will get full sun or partial shade. The soil should be loose and drain well. Watering needs are moderate. Once you get the shrub established, you shouldn’t need to water it unless you have unusual drought conditions. 

Many-flowered cotoneaster is a versatile shrub you can use in a lot of different ways. It makes a good hedge, or a focal point or backdrop for perennial and annual flowers. The large size means that it works as a privacy screen. Many-flowered cotoneaster tolerates wind, so you can use it as a windbreak as well. 

This is a shrub that is easy to grow, requires little maintenance, and will grow large quickly. Use it to screen and also for visual interest year-round.

Mary Ellen Ellis
Writer

Mary Ellen Ellis has been gardening for over 20 years. With degrees in Chemistry and Biology, Mary Ellen's specialties are flowers, native plants, and herbs.