Autumn Fire cotoneaster is an evergreen shrub hybrid of C. salicifolius and C.dammeri in the rose family (Rosaceae) developed in Germany in the 1930's. Grow this drought-tolerant shrub in well-drained garden soil in full sun. Protect from harsh drying winter winds in colder climates. it is low growing, reaching 2 to 3 feet tall and spreading 5 to 6 feet wide. Autumn Fire cotoneaster has clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter for the birds. The willow-like leaves have attractive reddish-purple fall color. Use this plant as a ground cover, on slopes and banks, in a pollinator or winter garden. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: There is some susceptibility to Fire blight, brown scale, Hawthorn Lace Bug, as well a woolly aphids, and aphids. In colder climates, protect from cold, drying winds. More information on Cotoneaster salicifolius .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The wrinkled texture leaves are 1.5 to 3.5" and .5" wide. The underside is hairy and covered with a whitish waxy material. They have a similar look to a weeping willow.Good fall color.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Clusters of 1.5-2" white flowers appear in May.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small, 1/4", bright red berries survive into fall and winter, providing food for songbirds.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Germany
Wildlife value
The berries provide winter food for songbirds. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.