Cotoneaster Seeds - Rock Cotoneaster
(Cotoneaster horizontalis) Perennial. Zone 5. Native range—China & Taiwan. Rosaceae (Rose) Family. An ideal choice to add year round interest to a garden slope or rock wall. Great at mitigating erosion. Tiny pink-white blooms in the Spring, lead to a spray of red berries in the Fall. Glossy green leaves turn redish in Fall. Berries are a great food source for local birds.
Rock Cotoneaster, also known as Wall Cotoneaster or Rockspray Cotoneaster, once plants are established, they are quite drought tolerant. Can tolerate a variety of soils, but dislikes being water logged. Plants only grow 2-3 feet tall, but spread 6-10 feet wide. Dislikes very hot Summers, may struggle in zones hotter that 7. Its ideal range is within zone 5-7. May prune shape as desired.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
For best results, sow seeds outdoors in the Fall, mulch beds (remove mulch once seeds germinate in Spring). If starting indoors...
SEED PRETREATMENT: Soak seeds for 24 hours, start with boiling water. Then, mix seeds with moistened soil 4x seed volume. Place in a plastic bag or container.
STRATIFICATION: 90 days cold/moist (5°C). Place plastic bag with seeds and soil in your refrigerator, preferably in a veggie crisper. Inspect periodically for even moisture.
POST-STRATIFICATION: Sow stratified seeds 3/8” deep. Alternating soil temperatures during the day (warmer than 20 °C) and night (cooler than 20°C) can help germination. Water evenly.
GERMINATION: When all previously mentioned requirements are fulfilled, germination generally occurs in 30 days.
Stratifying Seeds Naturally Outdoors in the Fall
How to Stratify Tree Seeds Indoors
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Available direct from Incredible Seeds, a Canadian Heirloom and Heritage Seed Company, offering only the best natural, non-GMO, open pollinated and untreated seeds, located in Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia.