Peking Cotoneaster Plant Care

Peking Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Cotoneaster genus. Peking Cotoneaster is native to southern Siberia, Mongolia, and most of China, and it has been introduced to Canada, the northern United States, and northern Europe. Peking Cotoneaster is also known as Himalayan Cotoneaster.

Peking Cotoneaster displays a spreading, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Peking Cotoneaster produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Peking Cotoneaster every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Peking Cotoneaster thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cotoneaster acutifolius tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Peking Cotoneaster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Peking Cotoneaster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Peking Cotoneaster every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Peking Cotoneaster can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Peking Cotoneaster while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Peking Cotoneaster can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to corrugated leaf cotoneaster plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Peking Cotoneaster is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.