Cotoneaster is taking over our margins and roadsides. A prolific seeder it is spread easily by birds and out-competes our native species.
Cotoneaster (Rosaceae – Cotoneaster.Spp) matures quickly forming dense stands that out-compete our native shrubland species. Cotoneaster is a hardy plant that grows almost anywhere but prefers free draining soil. Because it is an attractive plant with white flowers and a red berry in the autumn and winter its often left in cultivated garden plantings. Unfortunately from here it is easily spread by the birds into our public spaces.
Cotoneaster is in our Dirty Dozen because it spreads and grows quickly into dense stands. Left undisturbed it will dominate our margins and roadsides reducing the diversity of the native species around us.
How you can help…
You can remove it by hand pulling small seedlings or you can apply herbicide to remove them. You can find out how best to control Cotoneaster and what to use on NRC’s Pest Control Hub (click here)
Need help?
If you are in the Tutukaka area and need help or access to herbicide and tools please contact us on text 022 526 1972 or email s.w.a.tutukaka@gmail.com – our team of weed surveyors and slayers are only too happy to assist!
For more information check out Northland Regional Council’s Pest Control Hub (click here) or Weedbusters (click here)