Franchet's Cotoneaster Cotoneaster franchetii
ABOUT
Cotoneaster franchetii, commonly known as Franchet's cotoneaster, is a semi-evergreen shrub with a dense and spreading habit. Its branches are arching and bear small, oval-shaped leaves that are gray-green on the top with a white downy underside, creating a contrasting silvery appearance. In the spring, Franchet's cotoneaster produces clusters of small, five-petaled flowers that exhibit a soft pink hue. By late summer or autumn, these flowers give way to bright orange-red berries, which are a prominent feature of the shrub and attractive to birds. The berries often persist into the winter, adding a splash of color against the bare branches of other plants during the colder months.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Franchet's Cotoneaster, Orange Cotoneaster
Common names
Cotoneaster buxifolius var. franchetii, Cotoneaster lacteus var. franchetii, Cotoneaster franchetii var. sternianus, Cotoneaster sternianus.
ToxicityTo humans
Cotoneaster is considered to have a low level of toxicity to humans. It is not commonly ingested, but if consumed in large quantities, the berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is advisable to seek medical attention if symptoms occur or if significant amounts have been ingested.
To pets
Cotoneaster is also known to be mildly toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. If pets consume parts of the plant, especially the berries, they may exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Although severe poisoning is rare, it is important to consult a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of a Cotoneaster plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Spread
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Ornamental Plant: Franchet's cotoneaster is commonly used in landscaping for its aesthetic appeal, with its small pink or white flowers and bright orange-red berries.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The dense foliage and plentiful berries provide shelter and food for birds, as well as nectar for pollinators.
- Low Maintenance: Franchet's cotoneaster is known for being drought-tolerant and requiring minimal care once established, making it suitable for low-maintenance gardens.
- Erosion Control: Due to its spreading habit and strong root system, it is an effective plant for stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion.
- Hedging and Screening: It is often used to create hedges or screens, as it can be easily shaped and maintained at a desired size and form.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides year-round visual interest with its changing foliage colors, flowers in the spring, and berries in the fall and winter.
- Adaptability: Franchet's cotoneaster can thrive in a variety of soil types and climatic conditions, making it a versatile plant for different landscapes.
- Ground Cover: Its low-growing and spreading varieties can be used as effective ground covers to suppress weeds and cover large areas.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cotoneaster franchetii, commonly known as Franchet's Cotoneaster, can act as a noise barrier when planted densely, helping to reduce traffic noise or other environmental sound pollution.
- The dense, thorny branches of Franchet's Cotoneaster make it an excellent security hedge, deterring unauthorized access through their impenetrable growth.
- Franchet's Cotoneaster can be trained as a bonsai for ornamental purposes, showcasing the plant's striking form and berries in miniature.
- The wood of Franchet's Cotoneaster is sometimes used in small-scale carving or for making tool handles, due to its hardness when dried properly.
- The plant can be used in dyeing fabrics, where the berries may yield varying shades of colors when treated with different mordants.
- Franchet's Cotoneaster can serve as a windbreak in coastal areas, its hardy nature allowing it to withstand strong winds and salt spray.
- When strategically planted, Franchet's Cotoneaster can stabilize slopes and prevent soil erosion thanks to its extensive root system.
- Its berries can be a component in bird feed mixes, attracting a variety of bird species to the garden during winter when food is scarce.
- The evergreen nature of Franchet's Cotoneaster provides excellent year-round habitat for wildlife, offering shelter and nesting sites.
- Franchet's Cotoneaster can be used in permaculture designs as a 'nurse plant', sheltering young, tender plants as they establish themselves.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Franchet's Cotoneaster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Franchet's Cotoneaster is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hardiness: Cotoneaster franchetii, also known as Franchet's cotoneaster, is well-regarded for its ability to withstand tough conditions, symbolizing resilience and endurance.
- Protection: Its dense growth habit serves as excellent shelter for birds, representing safety and protection in various cultural contexts.
- Balance: The plant's evergreen nature, along with its balanced growth and seasonal berries, symbolizes the balance of life and the steady passage of time.
- Growth: Franchet's cotoneaster is a fast-growing plant, which can be associated with rapid expansion and development, making it a symbol for personal or professional growth.
- Adaptability: The versatility of the plant in different conditions can also symbolize adaptability and the ability to thrive in various environments.
WaterFranchet's Cotoneaster needs moderate watering, typically once a week during its growing season. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During hot spells, you might need to water twice a week, providing about 1-2 gallons depending on the size of the plant and the dryness of the soil. In winter, reduce watering to every couple of weeks, just enough to ensure the rootball doesn't dry out completely. Always check the top inch of the soil for dryness before watering again.
LightFranchet's Cotoneaster thrives best in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, though it can tolerate some shade, particularly in the afternoon. Avoid deep shade locations as this can impede its growth and flowering.
TemperatureFranchet's Cotoneaster is quite hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as 0°F and as high as 100°F. It thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. Ensure you plant it in a location where it's sheltered from harsh winter winds which can cause more damage than the cold itself.
PruningPrune Franchet's Cotoneaster to maintain its shape and encourage healthier growth, often done during late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cut back any dead or damaged branches and thin out dense areas to improve light and air circulation. It should be pruned only as needed to control size or to remove any old, non-productive wood.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFranchet's Cotoneaster thrives in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A good soil mix for this plant would be a combination of loamy garden soil, compost, and sand or perlite to improve drainage. Organic matter like peat moss can also be added to retain moisture while still allowing excess water to escape, preventing root rot.
RepottingFranchet's Cotoneaster should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it becomes root-bound. The best time to repot is during the late winter or early spring before the onset of new growth to minimize stress on the plant.
Humidity & MistingFranchet's Cotoneaster is adaptable to a wide range of humidity conditions. It fares well in average household humidity levels and does not require any special humidity adjustments when grown outdoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Franchet's Cotoneaster in bright, indirect light indoors.
Outdoor
Plant in sun to part shade; well-drained soil; prune after flowering.
Hardiness zone
Franchet's Cotoneaster is suitable for zones 7-9 USDA.
Life cycleFranchet's Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster franchetii) begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs after stratification when seeds experience cold temperatures to break dormancy. Seedlings emerge in spring and establish a root system while beginning vegetative growth. As the plant matures, it develops woody stems and branches, forming a dense, shrubby habit. The plant reaches flowering maturity within a few years, producing clusters of pink or white flowers in late spring to early summer, which are pollinated by insects, leading to the development of orange-red pomes (fruit) by autumn. These fruits are attractive to birds, which aid in seed dispersal. Franchet's Cotoneaster can live for many years, continuing to grow, flower, and produce fruit annually, and withstands pruning well, often utilized in hedges or ornamental landscaping.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Franchet's Cotoneaster is most commonly propagated by seeds, although it can also be done through semi-hardwood cuttings during the plant's growth season. To propagate Franchet's Cotoneaster from seed, one should collect the berries in the fall and separate the seeds from the pulp. The extracted seeds usually require a period of cold stratification to break dormancy, replicating the natural cycle of spending winter in the ground. This is typically achieved by mixing the seeds with some moist sand and refrigerating them at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) for a period of two to three months. After stratification, the seeds can be sown in pots or a prepared seedbed in spring. It's important to keep the soil lightly moist until the seeds germinate, which may take several weeks. This method allows for a high volume of new plants, although they may exhibit some genetic variability from their parent plant.
