Swedish Aspen vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) - TreeTime.ca

Swedish Aspen vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Cotoneaster lucidus

Populus tremula Erecta

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)
Swedish Aspen

The Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) is a dense, deciduous shrub that gets its name from the glossy dark green leaves that turn an eye-catching mix of red and purple in the fall.
It produces small, pink flowers in spring and by late summer they are followed by red berries that ripen to black. This plant is great for attracting wildlife as it is loved by both birds and butterflies.

While the Shiny Cotoneaster does produce berries, they are inedible to humans. This plant takes pruning and shearing well, making it easy to shape to your liking and is a great choice for a hedge or privacy screen in your yard.

Swedish Aspen is an extremely fast growing columnar aspen tree. It's ideally suited for urban settings where space is limited such as privacy screens or along the edges of driveways. Swedish aspen produces no fluff and is less prone to suckering than tower poplar. Swedish aspen thrives in a variety of growing conditions with little maintenance or pruning.

We grow this species over a two year production method from root cuttings via the Smoky Lake Styro-Stack method (SSS method) first pioneered at Smoky Lake Forest Nursery in 2002. This method has quickly become the gold standard in the reforestation nursery industry for growing clonal aspen.

We are well known for pioneering its use worldwide and currently produce some of the highest volumes of Swedish Aspen in Canada.

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) Quick Facts

Swedish Aspen Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: very fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: may cause stomach upset

Foliage: shiny
Fall colour: mix of yellow scarlet, red, purple
Fall colour: soft reddish rust
Flowers: small, pale pink
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: hedge cotoneaster, shiny leaf cotoneaster
Other Names: eurasian aspen, european aspen, swedish columnar aspen