What is the difference between pyracantha and cotoneaster?

Cotoneaster is the gentler sister of Pyracantha – it is thornless and therefore sometimes chosen over Pyracantha by those who want the beauty without the bite! Both plants can be grown as hedges, groundcover or against walls and fences; they look equally good as freestanding shrubs.

Is Cotoneaster horizontalis invasive?

While it makes excellent garden plants, Cotoneaster horizontalis is listed as an invasive, non-native species on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act in England and Wales.

Are all cotoneaster invasive?

Cotoneaster (Garden) Cotoneaster spp. Non-native invasive plants. Cotoneasters provide an important reminder that even with the best intentions of gardeners, the wind, birds and other animals can help plants to ‘escape over the garden wall’.

Why is Cotoneaster banned?

These plants are invasive species because they can take over native habitats, such as limestone cliffs (Wall cotoneaster) and heathland. They can form thickets which shade out native species. Some of the displaced species are really quite rare. The seeds of Cotoneasters are viable, so may be spread by birds.

Should I remove Cotoneaster?

Cotoneaster is an invasive plant which out competes native plants but can also be further spread by animals eating the berries it produces. Therefore, it is important to control and eradicate Cotoneaster as soon as it is identified, this can be completed via physical removal or herbicide treatment.

How tall does a cotoneaster grow?

6-8m
With a mature height of 6-8m, the branches are upright when young but are fast growing so soon become arching and graceful. It can be an excellent specimen or screening tree in a smaller garden.

Should I remove cotoneaster?

How do I get rid of cotoneaster?

Fill a bucket with 1 cup of an herbicide containing the active ingredient triclopyr and 3 cups of any cooking oil. Stir the mixture up with a paint stirrer to combine the two well. The cooking oil acts as a surfactant and causes the herbicide to adhere to the cotoneaster stumps better.

Is growing Cotoneaster illegal?

Some of the Cotoneaster species are included within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 14, Schedule 9 as a controlled plant species. It is illegal to knowingly sell or cause the plant to spread to the wild.