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Horizontal cotoneaster is one of the common varieties of cotoneaster, which is used to decorate summer cottages, as well as to improve local areas. Often this plant is used not only for ground cover, but also in rock gardens, as well as to create a hedge.
Description of cotoneaster horizontal
Cotoneaster horizontalis is a lush shrub from the Rosaceae family. Wild specimens of this plant are found in China. It's evergreen perennial shrubwho does not lose his “clothes” for the winter.
The shoots, as the name suggests, grow horizontally and spread along the ground. The plant does not grow higher than 1 meter in height. At the same time, it grows up to 2 meters in width. Such shoots perfectly camouflage unsightly and rocky areas of the ground.
The shoots of horizontal cotoneaster are most often located in one plane and have the shape of a fish ridge with one large branch and symmetrically arranged shoots.
The leaves of the bush are small - up to 1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is smooth and shiny. In autumn, the foliage on the shrub changes its color to red or crimson.
Cotoneaster blooms in early May, and the flowering process lasts 3 weeks. The flowers do not have a bright attractive color and are usually light pink.
The fruits from the ornamental shrub are inedible because they do not have a distinct taste. But at the same time, they are not poisonous, so if there are children in the family, decorating the area with cotoneaster is a safe option.
The shrub does not need to be covered, as it tolerates frost easily. This is an excellent decorative solution for the northern regions of the country.
As for diseases and pests, cotoneaster most often suffers from fusarium. This is due to the fact that the plant does not tolerate high humidity, and the fungus starts quickly. Affected shoots must be cut off and destroyed. The most common pests that are dangerous to shrubs are aphids and spider mites. In this case, it is enough to treat the bush with a good insecticide.
Varieties of horizontal cotoneaster
Before planting horizontal cotoneaster, you need to select a variety. Popular varieties of cotoneaster, which are most often used when planting for decorative purposes:
- Variegatusis a creeping plant reaching a height of up to 30 cm. The main feature is that it is an evergreen shrub only in warm and temperate latitudes, and in cold climates it turns into a deciduous plant.
- Perpusillis - a variety that is characterized by slow growth of shoots. The plant grows up to 50 cm in height. The leaves are dense and fleshy. Fruits in late August, blooms in late May.The shrub is distinguished by its elegance and will decorate any area, especially in the fall, when it will stand out as a crimson spot against the background of conifers and evergreens.
These are the most popular varieties that are often found in decorative areas and decorate areas, create hedges, and evergreen sculptures. Horizontal cotoneaster looks just as impressive in the photo as it does on the site itself.
Planting horizontal cotoneaster
With proper planting and quality care, the plant will decorate the area for a long time and delight the owner with its smooth leaves. It is important to choose the right soil and place for planting, and then carry out simple care.
Site selection and soil preparation
Horizontal cotoneaster differs from its related varieties in that it is picky about the soil in which it grows. It needs to have a fertile and nutritious environment for normal development. The soil must necessarily contain sand, peat and soil. The area must be dug up and leveled before planting.
It is desirable that the groundwater lies deep, and it is ideal that the bush itself is located on a small hill. Cotoneaster also feels great on the slopes.
Landing rules
The algorithm for planting cotoneaster is not complicated. First you need to prepare a hole with a drainage system. The thickness of the broken brick drainage layer is 20 cm. In addition to broken brick, pebbles are excellent for drainage. The depth of the pit is 70 cm, and the width is up to 50 cm.More precise pit parameters depend on the size of the root system. Seedlings with a closed root system should not be freed from the ground. Shaking off clods of soil may cause damage. This way it will be easier to dig in. In this case, the root collar should be flush with the ground. After planting, the seedling should be watered abundantly.
Subsequent care for horizontal cotoneaster
Shrub care is also easy. First of all, you should remember that horizontal cotoneaster does not tolerate excess water, but prefers drought. Therefore, even if the summer was rainless, watering the bush once a week or two is enough. When there is rain, the amount of watering is reduced. When watering, you cannot pour more than 5 buckets of water under one bush. If the soil is wet, then this indicator should be reduced.
After watering, be sure to loosen the soil and weed, removing all weeds. As a spring fertilizer, a urea solution is applied under the bush. Before flowering begins, superphosphate or potassium fertilizers must be applied to the bush.
In addition, pruning is required in the care. This helps to form a hedge or give the bush the desired shape.
Reproduction of horizontal cotoneaster
Horizontal cotoneaster reproduces in several ways. The shrub can be propagated by growing seeds, as well as by cuttings and layering. When propagating by seeds, the shrub will have to be grafted; most often, cotoneaster is grafted onto hawthorn or rowan.
Cuttings
For propagation you will need cuttings. Healthy shoots that remain after pruning can be used as cuttings.The shoots should be prepared by cutting them at an angle and then placed in a growth stimulator for a day. The cuttings must have several buds and not show signs of damage by various diseases.
When the day has passed, the cuttings can be planted on the site in loosened and fertilized soil, which was specially prepared for them. After planting, all cuttings are covered with a plastic jar or bottle. The optimal time for planting and rooting cuttings is June. In this case, next spring the cuttings will become full-fledged plants. Horizontal cotoneaster propagates quite well from cuttings; this is the most common propagation method.
Growing from seeds
Growing a full-fledged cotoneaster bush from seeds is quite troublesome, but the owner will be pleased with the results. The algorithm is simple:
- Collect fruits in October and November.
- Remove the pulp from the seeds, rinse and dry.
- Soak in water, and all floating seeds are removed as defective.
- Mix the seeds with peat and sand.
- Moisten the mixture.
- Place in boxes in a layer of 30–40 cm.
- The seeds should be deepened by 0.7 cm.
- Keep the box until spring at a temperature close to zero degrees.
- The germination rate of cotoneaster is from 5 to 20%.
- During the germination period, the seeds should be watered, making sure that the seeds are not exposed. If the seeds appear on the surface, deepen them again to the required depth.
In spring you can plant seeds. Seedlings can be placed in open ground after the first 2 leaves have appeared on them.
By layering
The horizontal location of cotoneaster allows for easy propagation by layering. To do this, just press the shoots to the ground and pin them with staples. The place where the shoot is pressed should be covered with humus and peat. In the spring, you should cut off the main bush from the pinned layer and transplant the seedling to a permanent place.
Cotoneaster horizontal in landscape design
In gardening, the horizontal cotoneaster is highly valued as an ornamental plant. Horizontal cotoneaster in landscape design can be seen in various photos. These are most often hedges and various structures. You can also often use small varieties in the form of border structures that decorate garden paths.
In group plantings, the dogwood bush goes well with various coniferous plants.
It is used in landscaping park areas, as well as sidewalks and recreation areas around the world. If you use cotoneaster in rock gardens, then choose the middle tier for it.
It also looks great against the background of stones and rocky hills, and therefore is used in various combinations.
Conclusion
The decoration of a suburban area or park area will look completely different if the horizontal cotoneaster shrub is planted in combination with other plants. This shrub can withstand frost and does not require constant watering. It is unpretentious in the choice of soil, and propagates by cuttings and even seeds. As a result, the owner can quickly get a beautiful hedge with a fast-growing plant, which is also long-lived. With proper care, cotoneaster can live on a site for up to 50 years or more.The main thing is not to over-water when caring so that fungus does not form.
