Peking Cotoneaster vs Birch Leaf Spirea - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Birch Leaf Spirea

Spiraea betulifolia

Cotoneaster acutifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Birch Leaf Spirea
Peking Cotoneaster

Birch Leaf Meadowsweet is a small, rounded shrub, reaching 3 to 4 feet high.

In the early summer, white flowers emerge with dark green foliage. Come fall, birch-like leaves turn a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and purple adding seasonal interest.

Native to Japan and Eastern Asia, this dwarf shrub attracts butterflies and is an excellent option for the front row of a shrub border.

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.

Birch Leaf Spirea Quick Facts

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


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


In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: birch leaf meadowsweet, shiny leaf spirea, white spirea