Peking Cotoneaster vs Western Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Western Sand Cherry

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Prunus pumila var besseyi

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Peking Cotoneaster
Western Sand Cherry

Peking Cotoneaster is a medium-sized shrub that is well adapted to colder climates. Best suited for use as a hedge, Peking Cotoneaster has dark green foliage that turns a stunning reddish orange in the fall.

Hardy fruit guru, Bernie Nikolai (DBG Fruit Growers), has started to recommend grafting hardy pear varieties to Peking Cotoneaster after his experiences were successful and produced fruit faster than other rootstocks. Remember to leave some nurse limbs if you try this.

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: glossy upper surface
Foliage: grey-green
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white, spring
Flowers: white
Berries: black fruit
Berries: small purple cherries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: SK, MB, ON