Practical
Plants

Cotoneaster frigidus

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Cotoneaster genus in the family Rosaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
10 m
Spread
10 m
Fertility
Flies, Midges
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies, Midges

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The fruits are eaten to replenish the blood in cases of deficiency[12].

Product or use
Blood tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A rose-tan dye is obtained from the fruit[5]. The branches are used in basketry and for making twig bridges in the Himalayas[3]. Can be grown as an informal hedge[8].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Shrubberies and riversides, especially in Nepal, 2200 - 3400 metres from Uttar Pradesh to S.W. China[13]. River valleys, broad-leaved deciduous forests on slopes, 2800 - 3300 metres in Tibet[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed. Members of this genus hybridize freely so, if you require seed that breeds true, it is important to obtain it from a known wild source or from a controlled fertilization of garden plants. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame, when it will usually germinate in the spring[2][8]. Stored seed germinates faster if given 3 months warm stratification at 15°c and then 3 months cold stratification at 4°c[4]. The seed usually germinates within 1 - 18 months at 15°c but it can take 2 years[4]. Pot the seedlings up as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them out into nursery beds or into their permanent positions when they are more than 10cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[2][8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it prefers a good soil but also does well in poor soils[1][2][8]. It thrives in lime and is also happy in peaty soils[1]. It succeeds in any soil that is not marshy or waterlogged[2][8]. Succeeds in dry soils[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade but does not fruit so freely in a shady position[2][8]. Plants also succeed in quite deep shade[9]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[8]. A fast-growing plant[9]. The flowers, when inhaled near to, have an unpleasant smell like decaying fish[10]. They are very attractive to bees whilst the fruit is a good winter food source for many species of birds[8]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially those species in the 'Salicifolia' group of this genus[6]. Trees are notably susceptible to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976-00-00

    ↩

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  9. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  11. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  12. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩

  13. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page