Cotoneaster salicifolius ‘Scarlet Leader’
Overview
Uses: Groundcover, slopes and banks, erosion control, and mass plantings.
Benefits: A very low, fast-spreading cotoneaster that hugs the ground and covers up to 6–8 feet wide. Glossy leaves take on burgundy tones in cold weather, white spring flowers give way to red berries, and the dense mat helps hold soil on slopes.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Semi-Evergreen Shrub
Growth Habit: Groundcover, Trailing — very low and wide-spreading.
Bloom Color: White
Foliage Color: Glossy Dark Green, turning Burgundy in winter
Mature Height: 6–12 inches
Mature Width: 6–8 feet
Bloom Season: Spring
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
A low, glossy carpet that covers wide ground quickly and turns rich burgundy as the weather cools.
‘Scarlet Leader’ is one of the flattest cotoneasters you can plant. Its trailing stems stay under a foot tall while spreading six to eight feet across, forming a dense mat of narrow, glossy, dark green leaves. That makes it a natural choice for broad slopes, the front of large beds, and other wide areas where a taller groundcover would look heavy.
White flowers appear in spring and are followed by small red berries. As temperatures drop in fall and winter, the foliage takes on deep burgundy tones, giving the planting color in the off-season. In milder winters many leaves stay on; in colder areas some drop and new growth returns in spring.
Once established it handles average soil and dry spells, and its dense, low cover helps hold soil on banks.
Care
Scarlet Leader Cotoneaster Care
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Sun gives the densest mat and the best winter color.
Any well-drained soil works. Avoid low spots that stay wet. On compacted slopes, loosen a wide area at planting so the trailing stems and roots can spread easily.
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season. Established plants tolerate dry periods and need water only in extended drought. Keep mulch between young plants until the mat closes, to hold moisture and keep weeds from filling the gaps.
Feeding needs are light. One application of a slow release fertilizer in early spring helps a new planting fill in faster.
Little pruning is needed. In late winter or early spring, trim back any stems that have run onto walks or into other plants, and cut out winter-damaged tips. Avoid shearing the whole planting.
Size
What Size is the Scarlet Leader Cotoneaster for Sale Online?
Our Scarlet Leader Cotoneaster ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. In the off-season it may arrive with some leaves bronzed or dropped, which is normal for this semi-evergreen shrub. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Scarlet Leader Cotoneaster Grow?
Expect about 6 to 12 inches tall and 6 to 8 feet wide at maturity, in a very low, trailing mat. Space plants about 4 to 5 feet apart to cover a slope, or closer for faster coverage.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
The species is commonly called willowleaf cotoneaster, for its narrow leaves, and this low form is usually sold under its cultivar name, Scarlet Leader.
How is it different from Coral Beauty cotoneaster?
Both are fast, low groundcovers, but Scarlet Leader is flatter, staying under a foot tall while spreading wider, and its narrower leaves take on a deeper burgundy color in cold weather. Coral Beauty grows a bit taller and is known for its coral-red berries.
Is it good for erosion control?
Yes. Its dense, low mat covers bare ground on slopes and banks and helps hold soil once the planting fills in. Explore more Groundcovers.
Does it stay green in winter?
It is semi-evergreen. In milder areas the leaves stay on and turn deep burgundy through winter. In the colder end of its range, some leaves may drop in a hard winter, and fresh growth fills back in by late spring. For more low, spreading shrubs, see our Shrubs & Bushes.
