Cotoneaster
I read an on line article last night that said some species of Cotoneaster were considered invasive in the UK. One of the species listed was the only one I have in my garden, C.simonsii [have it mainly for sentimental reasons, had it as a pot plant in my back yard when we lived in a terraced house], others that I recall were C.bullatus and C.horizontalis. I was very surprised to read this as I live in a suburban area where ,the gardens are full of Cotoneasters. I am lucky enough to be within 10 mins walk of a river valley with woods and a nature reserve. I come across plenty of Himalayan balsam, patches of japanese Knotweed and variegated lamium and the odd Giant Hogweed. I have never seen a wild cotoneaster in spite of there being an ample supplies of berries in nearby gardens and lots of birds around to eat them. Does anyone live in an area where these shrubs are a problem in the wild? Is this a case of over reaction about non-native plants [acknowledging the ones I mentioned earlier are certainly a menace].
Posts
They seed around a bit, hardly an invasive species.
I've never seen an escapee either.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I am really surprised at some plants which are described as invasive.
It almost seems that if a plant grows happily in the UK without turning up its toes at the slightest provocation someone somewhere will declare it to be set on world domination
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I do spend a lot of time here removing self seeded Cotoneasters of various types, but never seen any outside the garden itself.
Verdun
Its been in the gaden 9 years and I have never seen a seedling even though it berries freely. I get geraniums, forget me nots, Nigella, alchemilla and primroses seeding abundantly so there is nothing toxic about the soil. Maybe it prefers a milder climate or lighter soil. Root spread no problem as still in a pot in a shady north facing aspect.
I have seen some growing wild in a local chalk pit but I would hardly call it invasive.I have seedlings grow round the garden but again so few to be a problem.