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Peking cotoneaster

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Common names:
Peking cotoneaster

Content Detail

Peking cotoneaster, often confused with hedge cotoneaster, is a large shrub for back of the border. Small pink flowers and reddish, persistent fruit attract birds and wildlife.

  • Family (English) Rose
  • Family (botanic) Rosaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large shrub (more than 8 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Acid soil, Alkaline soil, Dry soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Occasional drought, Road salt
  • Season of interest mid spring, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous, Pink
  • Shape or form Broad, Multi-stemmed, Round, Thicket-forming, Upright
  • Growth rate Moderate

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Mongolia, Northern and western Asia, and Eastern Himalayas.

Attracts birds and butterflies:

Song birds are attracted to the persistent fruit.

Bark color and texture:

Gray to light brown and older stems have a peeling bark.

Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture:

Leaves are alternate, simple, 1 to 2 1/2 inches long and elliptical. Leaf color is a dull green and it is slightly hairy. Fall color is yellow to reddish.

Flower arrangement, shape, and size:

Tiny, pinkish-white flowers borne in 2 inch clusters.

Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions:

Small, 1/2 inch berry-like red fruit.

Plant care:

Peking cotoneaster is a large shrub reaching 6 to 10 feet in height and width. It prefers well-drained soil in full sun to light shade, but is tolerant of poor soil, wind, pH adaptable, and aerial salt. Prune after flowering to maintain shape.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances:

Susceptible to leaf spots, canker, fire blight, scale, and spider mites.

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