Cotoneaster franchetii

The Cotoneaster franchetii, also known as the Franchet's Cotoneaster, is a hardy bush that grows quickly, is not very demanding, and tolerates pruning very well. These qualities make it useful in natural or trimmed hedges, where its dense and evergreen growth in winter works wonders. It is also interesting for its abundant white-pink flowering, which is very attractive to bees, followed by numerous red-orange berries that remain decorative in autumn and winter. It is easily grown in full sun or partial shade, in any good garden soil that is not too dry in summer.

The Cotoneaster franchetii is a bush from the rose family, just like its cousins the pyracanthas. It originates from western China and Tibet, where it is found growing on forest edges, sometimes on rocky slopes. Very tolerant, this cotoneaster dislikes dry summers and north-facing exposures. It grows quickly, naturally developing a slightly unkempt habit, wider than it is tall, and will reach an average height of 3m (9.8ft) and a spread of 3.50m (11.5ft) if not limited by pruning.

Its habit is fairly upright to spreading, bushy, irregular, arched and well-branched. The young branches are hairy and then become smooth and brown. It flowers in May and June for several weeks, in the form of numerous corymbs that comprise 5 to 15 fragrant flowers. These are small flowers, 6 to 7mm (0.3in) in diameter, of a white-pink colour. The flowers are followed by fruits, which ripen in September-October. These are round berries, 6 to 9mm (0.4in) in diameter, both decorative and sought after by birds.

The foliage of this bush is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on the severity of the winter. It is composed of small ovate and pointed leaves, 2 to 4cm (1.6in) long. They are matte green on the upper side and their undersides are velvety and silvery white.

The scent of the flowers contributes to the plant being honey-bearing, meaning it contains substances collected by bees that they will transform into honey. The Cotoneaster franchetii can be used in shrub beds and natural or trimmed hedges. For example, it is a good border plant to be placed in front of a grove of tall trees. Combine it with pyracanthas, bay laurels, Cotoneaster lacteus, Elaeagnus ebbingei, Photinias, and cherry laurels in a large evergreen, windbreak hedge that will provide shelter and cover for all the small fauna in the garden. It can also be a beautiful specimen plant if pruned into a ball shape at the corner of a bed or at the end of a pathway.