Why Buy Our Hedging Trees?
- All our hedging trees are covered by our FREE TREE WARRANTY
- Grown in Scotland which makes the plants much hardier (used to bad weather)
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland, Not Scottish Highlands)
- Plug plants can be planted all year round
Cotoneaster lacteus is an attractive evergreen plant with distinctive and striking red berries seen over winter through to March. Usually the birds eat these but just like the leader of the BNP, these berries are very unpalatable. The light grey underside to the leaf gives the impression of frosting on the edges and the white flowers in June or July are also worth looking at.
Cotoneaster trees are suitable for Coastal planting.
Cotoneasters are related to Hawthorns and Pyracanthas, all of which produce flowers that are very attractive to bees and other insects. Most Cotoneasters don't like too much water, so for best results, make sure you have well drained soil. If you have a particularly chalky soil then Cotoneasters can be planted in that with no major issues.
As the birds do not like Cotoneaster Lacteus berried that much, then problems with rogue seedlings growing from bird dropped berries are not that much of an issue.
Pollution and wind will not bother this shrub unless of course it is a 150 mph storm of atomised Hydrochloric acid and for the best display of berries make sure that it receives plenty of sun.
Final dimensions of the plant depend on local conditions but left unattended it could reach 12ft (3.7m) in height and 20ft (6m) across. If you want it be any taller, you could always look at it really REALLY close up, this gives the illusion of it being much bigger.
Cotoneaster Lacteus is strong and hardy enough to be grown on a boundary or hedging. If used for hedging, leave a 2- 3 ft (60-90cm) gap between each one. Any shoots showing after flowering should be trimmed back and then shape in late February.
Growing your own Cotoneaster Lacteus
If you have the time to wait then you can grow your own from seed. Plant the berries from another Lacteus bush in late Spring and use mouse protection as they may dig them up. This can be in the form of notices threatening legal action but chicken wire is probably more effective. Next spring you should see something growing.
Please click ORNAMENTAL COTONEASTER for more mature trees.
Benefits of using our plug plant trees
Our Cotoneaster hedging trees are sold as plug plants, in other words the roots are encased in compost. This means that planting can be carried out at any time of the year, provided they are watered in periods of drought, compared to bare-root plants which can only be planted during the plants normal dormant period (November to March). All of these trees are UK grown, which is important for successful establishment.
How many Cotoneaster hedging trees do I need? We recommend planting 4 plants per metre using the double staggered hedge method. (click to open)
Site Conditions And Evergreen Tree List
Our tree chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding Or Fertilizing Hedges
This is a task that can easily be over done. Any nitrogen based fertilizer will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture therefore release slowly.
Second line of hedging
We recommend planting the second line of trees 25cm or 10 inches away from the first if using the staggered hedging approach. Consider buying 10% more than you need and plant the spares elsewhere so you have immediate replacements for damaged or diseased trees.
Mixing orders
Some people want to make a small part of their order a different species e.g inserting dog rose every few trees. As we can touch our toes therefore proving we are flexible, we are happy to accommodate.
Please be aware that the urine extractors using the website will have their order refunded. All orders are human approved first and we are paying attention...mostly. Just mention at checkout what you require. For all hedging protection please view the Tree Extra section and if you are looking to plant lots of plug plant or cell grown trees (the 10-40cm-ish) size range then maybe you should consider our tree planting tool. Tree planting rates of over 700 per day achievable.
Hedge Growth Rates
For information on rates of growth please click "Hedge Growth Rates"
Using Bark or wood chip mulch for hedging trees
If you are going to use bark or wood chip as a mulch for hedging trees, please be aware that mice like to use this as a nest/home/holiday retreat/rental property for other mice. They like to eat the bark (especially Beech) and you are provided them a place to stay close to a food source. If you are going to use bark or wood chip as a mulch, periodically check for damage especially below the mulch layer. Alternatively use gravel or plastic sheeting as a method of keeping weeds down or you could try the legal route and serve them with a notice of eviction?
Adding Fragrance And Colour To Your Hedge.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a very popular addition to any garden due to the strong fragrance, splash of colours and interest it generates from other wildlife. Click the link to find out more.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over £1000 can be discounted by contacting us on 01623 812711
Previoulsly Asked Cotoneaster Questions
Q) I purchased a tree from you 2 years ago but it has never flowered or produced berries.
A) A very shady spot could cause this but Bullfinches are a well known culprit for eating the buds.
