Waterer's Cotoneaster 'Cornubia'

Cotoneaster × watereri 'Cornubia' is perhaps the finest of all large cotoneasters for a UK garden, often forming a large semi-evergreen shrub or even a small tree. It is most famous for its spectacular autumn and winter display, when it is literally weighed down by enormous clusters of brilliant red berries. These berries follow a profusion of small white flowers in early summer that are highly attractive to bees. The leaves are large, dark green, and leathery, providing a dense screen year-round in milder winters. This plant is exceptionally tough and hardy (H6), thriving in almost any soil type and situation, including shaded areas, although berry production is best in sun. Because of its size—reaching up to 6 metres if left unpruned—it is best suited for larger gardens or used as a very effective privacy hedge. It provides essential food for birds during the lean winter months.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: Jun.