Will Cotoneaster Do Well in Part Shade?

Types

• When determining which cotoneaster shrubs to grow in your region, the duration of the shrubs' foliage limits how much cold they can survive. Deciduous species grow in colder winter regions, while evergreen types grow best only in milder winter regions. Deciduous cotoneaster shrubs need much more direct sunlight to prosper compared to evergreen types.

Light Requirements

• For best growth and development of natural habit, deciduous cotoneaster shrubs need at least six hours of uninterrupted sunshine daily when leaves are present from spring to fall. Insufficient light causes deciduous shrubs to become leggy and with fewer leaves. Too little light lowers the amount of food manufacturer by foliage, creating weaker plants more susceptible to disease and winter cold. Conversely, evergreen cotoneaster shrubs grow in both full sun as well as partial shade, no less than four hours of sunshine each day.

Soil Issues

• All cotoneaster shrubs falter in overly wet, slow-draining garden soils that remain soggy or flood after rain or irrigation. If a garden bed is moist, or the soil is a heavy, slow-draining clay, cotoneaster may not perform well if not given much more sunlight. If the garden soil is relatively dry, sandy or irrigation isn't available, a cotoneaster may tolerate more shade than usual, especially in regions with long, hot summers.

Effects of Partial Shade

• In hot climates, partial shade keeps soil and air temperatures cooler in the heat of summer. This diminishes the cotoneaster's moisture needs. However, shorter exposure to sunlight leads to diminished flowering in spring or early summer. This results in fewer colorful berries, as fewer flowers attract less pollinating insects. In northern parts of the U.S. or at higher elevations, the cooler summers are not conducive for cotoneasters planted in shaded areas. A chillier exposure slows growth, limits flowering and fruit production.