Franchet Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster franchetii
Also listed as Cotoneaster cinerascens, Cotoneaster vilmorinianus
Also known as Franchet's Cotoneaster, Orange Cotoneaster, Grey Cotoneaster
Climate Match for your location
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A semi-evergreen shrub with graceful arching branches, small gray-green leaves, and clusters of white to pale pink flowers followed by orange-red berries that persist into winter. Highly drought-tolerant once established and excellent for wildlife.
Why grow it
Franchet Cotoneaster offers reliable semi-evergreen structure and extended winter interest through persistent orange-red berries, making it a practical choice where deciduous alternatives would leave bare branches. Compared to fully evergreen cotoneasters, it tolerates colder climates while maintaining foliage most of the year. Its drought tolerance once established and modest fertility requirements align with low-input landscape management common in permaculture systems.
Watch out for
This species can become leggy or sparse in heavy shade, requiring strategic placement in mixed plantings. Branch structure benefits from occasional thinning rather than formal pruning, which tends to produce dense, twiggy regrowth. In warmer regions with consistent moisture, powdery mildew and fire blight can reduce ornamental quality and should be monitored.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Southeast Tibet, Yunnan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Cornubia' is a popular semi-evergreen selection with larger berries and more vigorous growth, reaching up to 12 feet tall.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A semi-evergreen shrub with graceful arching branches, small gray-green leaves, and clusters of white to pale pink flowers followed by orange-red berries that persist into winter. Highly drought-tolerant once established and excellent for wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Franchet Cotoneaster grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Franchet Cotoneaster offers reliable semi-evergreen structure and extended winter interest through persistent orange-red berries, making it a practical choice where deciduous alternatives would leave bare branches. Compared to fully evergreen cotoneasters, it tolerates colder climates while maintaining foliage most of the year. Its drought tolerance once established and modest fertility requirements align with low-input landscape management common in permaculture systems.
Watch out for
This species can become leggy or sparse in heavy shade, requiring strategic placement in mixed plantings. Branch structure benefits from occasional thinning rather than formal pruning, which tends to produce dense, twiggy regrowth. In warmer regions with consistent moisture, powdery mildew and fire blight can reduce ornamental quality and should be monitored.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Southeast Tibet, Yunnan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
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Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Cornubia' is a popular semi-evergreen selection with larger berries and more vigorous growth, reaching up to 12 feet tall.