Cotoneaster simonsii aka Himalayan Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster simonsii is a shrub in the rose family, Rosaceae. Its common names include Simons cotoneaster and Himalayan cotoneaster. Its native range runs from the Himalayas to northern Myanmar. This includes parts of India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It grows in scrub, hedgerows, and rocky ground on calcareous soils. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This upright shrub may also form a small tree. It sheds its leaves or keeps some through winter. Garden plants reach about 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres] in height and spread. Oregon State records heights up to 10 feet [3 metres]. The RHS gives a maturity time of 10–20 years. Its shoots stand upright, though branches can look loose and untidy. The small, simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They range from oval to broader near the tip. Their glossy tops are dark green; their undersides are paler and slightly hairy. The leaves can turn red in autumn.

Small white flowers carry a touch of pink in summer. They grow in groups of two to five. Each flower has upright petals. Bright scarlet, egg-shaped fruits follow in autumn. Each fruit contains two to five nutlets. The fruit adds colour after the flowers have gone. These fruits are for display, not for eating. The RHS warns that people and pets should not eat them. PFAF lists no known food or medicinal uses.

Grow this shrub in full sun and well-drained soil. It accepts chalk, clay, loam, and sand. It also tolerates acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Listed moisture conditions range from dry to moist. The RHS rates its cold hardiness as H6. PFAF lists USDA zones 4–8, while Oregon State gives zone 6. It can form a medium or tall informal hedge. Close clipping can produce a dense hedge. Its fruit also yields a rose-tan dye.

Its spread beyond gardens is a key concern. Britain lists it as an invasive non-native plant under Schedule 9. In England and Wales, planting it in the wild is an offence. Causing it to grow there is also an offence. The RHS advises owners to control its spread. Scale insects, aphids, and cotoneaster webber caterpillars may attack it. Fireblight and honey fungus may also cause problems.