Need a beautiful water-wise shrub? Gray Leaf Cotoneaster

April 8, 2015 | By webadmin

Looking for a medium sized shrub that is beautiful, Texas tough and doesn’t use a lot of water? Let us introduce you to gray leaf cotoneaster, Cotoneaster glaucophyllus!

This unique shrub sports tiny gray-green leaves that add color, contrast and texture to your landscape. Young leaves are silver in color, then turn a deeper grayish-green as they mature. As plants grow, the branches arch, creating an almost weeping, mounded growth habit. Because plants grow to a moderate 3’-5’ tall by 4’-5’ wide, you can use it as a backdrop for low growing annuals and perennials. In summer, plants produce masses of tiny white flowers. In fall and winter the flowers are followed by bright orange-red berries that feed the local birds. The berries are also a nice pop of fall color in the landscape.

Plants can take full, hot sun and reflected heat well. However, gray leaf cotoneaster can also tolerate a bit of shade during the day and still thrive. Once established, plants don’t require a lot of water to keep them healthy. Layer Gray Leaf Cotoneaster in a garden bed along with oxeye daisy, iris, ornamental grasses and other water-wise favorites.