Peking Cotoneaster vs Acute Willow - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Acute Willow

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Salix acutifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Peking Cotoneaster
Acute Willow

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.

Acute Willow is a very fast growing small tree that can reach growth rates of up to 6 feet per year. It's a great choice for developing a quick, hardy shelterbelt, windbreak, or privacy screen.

Acute Willow will grow multi-stemmed but can be pruned to a single stem for a smaller footprint. It prefers moist areas and requires almost no maintenance.

Willows are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Acute Willow Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: glossy upper surface
Foliage: long slender leaves
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Bark: younger branches are bright brown-red
Flowers: white, spring
Berries: black fruit
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

In row spacing: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: acute leaf willow, acute leafed willow, long-leaved violet willow, sharp-leaf willow