Himalayan Cotoneaster (cotoneaster simonsii)

• Semi-evergreen upright shrub/hedge (retains most leaves in mild winters; some red autumn colour).
• Glossy dark green leaves, white/pink-tinged flowers in early summer (attractive to bees), followed by persistent bright red/scarlet berries that feed birds.
• Hardy, fast-growing (20–40 cm/year), shade-tolerant, and thrives in most soils (including chalk, clay, coastal, and exposed sites). Excellent low-maintenance hedging or specimen shrub (typically kept at 90 cm–1.5 m; ultimate height ~2–3 m). Good for wildlife gardens.

Planting advice

• When: Dormant season, November–March (ideally autumn or early spring). Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground.
• Where: Full sun to partial shade; any well-drained soil (not waterlogged).
• Spacing (hedge): 30–38 cm (12–15 in) apart in a single row (or ~3–4 plants per metre).
• How:
  
  • Dig a trench or individual holes wide enough for roots to spread; loosen base.
  • Plant at the same depth as the nursery soil mark (root collar at soil level); spread roots out (avoid J-roots).
  • Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
  • Optional: Add well-rotted compost/organic matter.
• Aftercare: Water regularly in the first 1–2 years during dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Trim for shape in February or after flowering; cut back by about one-third in the first couple of winters for bushier growth.