small-leaved cotoneaster

Small-leaved cotoneaster requires regular watering to ensure optimal health and growth. Depending on the season, it should be watered once or twice a week with approximately 1 inch of water. During the warm spring and summer months, you should increase the frequency of watering to every other day. During the cooler fall and winter months, the frequency of watering can be reduced to once a week. However, if the soil has dried out, you may need to water more than once a week. When watering, make sure to evenly saturate the soil. Avoid overwatering, as it can cause disease and root rot. Ensure to allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.

Small-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) thrives in full sun to partial shade but full sunlight is preferred. When grown in full sun, the plant is denser and it produces abundant flowers and fruit. While it does not require a specific amount of sun, providing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day will ensure healthy growth and overall plant vigor. During hot climates, it can tolerate some late afternoon shade during the hottest parts of the day.

Small-leaved Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) should be pruned in late winter or early spring, preferably in February or March. Pruning should be kept minimal since the plant blooms on old wood and grows best when left unpruned. To maintain the desirable size and shape, or to remove dead or damaged branches, selective pruning and shaping is recommended. If pruning is done, cut back only 1-third of the stems to maintain a natural shape. Be careful not to cut off the flower buds that form on older wood, since the plant blooms in the late spring on these buds.