Why Buy Our Hedging Trees?
- Our hedging trees are plug plants which can be planted all year round. No rush to plant as roots are not exposed.
- Grown in the North UK which makes the plants much hardier (used to bad weather and political scandal)
- Very easy to plant, little cultivation required and very high success rate.
- Our trees are covered by a FREE TREE WARRANTY. (first 15% not covered)
- Plants do not "check" when planted so rapid early growth.
- Root plug contains both naturally occurring mycorrhizae and fertilizer.
- Growing containers eliminate root spiralling.
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland only).
Milkflower Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus)
Cotoneaster lacteus or Milkflower Cotoneaster is an attractive evergreen plant with distinctive and striking red berries seen over winter through to March. Usually, the birds eat berries but just like the leader of the BNP, these berries are very unpalatable.
The RHS awarded Milkflower Cotoneaster their Award Of Garden Merit. So far no bribery scandals have emerged so we think it could be legitimate.
The light grey underside to the hairy, leathery leaf gives the impression of frosting on the edges and the white flowers in June or July are also worth looking at.
Cotoneasters are related to Hawthorns and Pyracanthas, all of which produce flowers that are very attractive to bees and other insects. Most Cotoneasters don't like too much water, so for best results, make sure you have well drained soil. If you have a particularly chalky soil then Cotoneasters can be planted in that with no major issues.
As the birds do not like Cotoneaster Lacteus berries that much, then problems with rogue seedlings growing from bird dropped berries are not that much of an issue.
Final dimensions of the plant depend on local conditions but left unattended it could reach 3.5m in height and 6m across. If you want it be any taller, you could always look at it really REALLY close up, this gives the illusion of it being much bigger.
Planting Milkflower Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus)
Cotoneaster trees are suitable for Coastal planting area, dry and shady sites so if you happen to have a plot of land under a palm tree near the coast and want to hedge it off then the Milkflower Cotoneaster is for you. Before you ask if the pronunciation is "Kotton-eester" or "Kotonee Aster" then it depends who you ask. Those with Country club membership or die hard gardeners go with the latter and normal people go with the former.
Pollution and wind will not bother this shrub unless of course it is a 150 mph storm of atomised Hydrochloric acid and for the best display of berries make sure that it receives plenty of sun.
Soil for Milkflower Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus)
Planting the Milkflower is pretty simple as it likes nearly all soils so long as they are well drained. When we say all soils, this means, acid, alkaline, neutral, chalk, clay, loam and sandy. NOT radioactive, secret government testing lab back gardens or other such odd ball conditions (we do get asked and challenged on this)
Growing your own Cotoneaster Lacteus
If you have the time to wait then you can grow your own from seed. Plant the berries from another Lacteus bush in late Spring and use mouse protection as they may dig them up. This can be in the form of notices threatening legal action but chicken wire is probably more effective. Next spring you should see something growing.
Any shoots showing after flowering should be trimmed back and then shape in late February.
Please click ORNAMENTAL COTONEASTER for more mature trees.
How many Cotoneaster hedging trees do I need?
We recommend planting 4 plants per metre using the double staggered hedge method. (click to open)
See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Cotoneaster Milkflower
Alan really knows his trees and helped me picked the right trees for a wee hedge bordering a path. The trees (Cotoneaster Milkflower) arrived promptly in really healthy condition. Thanks again. K Bell. 1014
I ordered Cotoneaster trees for some hedging. Alan was excellent for advice on which hedging would be best for the area I had. The delivery was prompt and the trees themselves look very healthy. Thanks again! 0814
Thanks again very much for the service and attention to detail. It was very much appreciated and highly recommendable. Kind regards, Allan 0613
Delivery
Due to courier unpredictability, we advise having your trees delivered AT LEAST 3 days before you actually need them.
Returning Cell Grown Trees
For Phytosanitary reasons, cell-grown trees cannot be returned to the nursery.
Delaying Planting Cell Grown Trees
If you cannot plant straight away, take the trees out of the packaging and stand upright next to each other in a sheltered location outside. November to March, no need to water unless they start to dry out and these would be ok for up to 6 weeks. During Spring and Summer, you can do this for up to 3 weeks.
Site Conditions And Evergreen Tree List
Our tree chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding Or Fertilizing Hedges
Any nitrogen based fertilizer will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture therefore release slowly.
Second line of hedging or staggered row
We recommend planting the second line of trees 25cm or 10 inches away from the first if using the staggered hedging approach. Consider buying 10% more than you need and plant the spares elsewhere so you have immediate replacements for damaged or diseased trees.
Hedge Protection
For all hedging protection please view the Tree Extra section.
You would think that thorny plants would put rabbits off from eating them however this is not the case. They are happy to take the pain regardless of the cost (sounds like rabbits would be suited to marriage)
Hedge Growth Rates
For information on rates of growth please click "Hedge Growth Rates"
Using Bark or wood chip mulch for hedging trees
Mice like to use this as a nest/home/holiday retreat and they eat the bark (especially Beech). Periodically check for damage below the mulch or bark layer. Alternatively use gravel or plastic sheeting as a method of keeping weeds.
Adding Fragrance And Colour To Your Hedge.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a very popular addition to any garden due to the strong fragrance, splash of colours and interest it generates from other wildlife. Click the link to find out more.
Coastal Planting
Trees suitable for coastal hedging include Aspen, Hawthorn, Holly, Juniper, Rowan, Whitebeam and Willows.
Factors Detrimental To Cell Grown/Young Hedging Trees
Too much/little water, animal Urine, excessive wind exposure (will slow growth), salt spray, frost on new growth, herbicide drift and over application of fertilizer.
Hedge Tree Growing In The UK
We have instructed all our hedging trees that no non-UK holidays are allowed so that we can state they are all UK grown.
Planting In The Corner Of A GardenAir and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy. Multiple Order Discount
Orders over 1000 trees can be discounted by contacting us on 0800 043 1057
Previoulsly Asked Cotoneaster Questions
Q) I purchased a tree from you 2 years ago but it has never flowered or produced berries.
A) A very shady spot could cause this but Bullfinches are a well known culprit for eating the buds.
