What is the Plant Swap Scheme?
As part of the Limestone Grassland Restoration Project, we aim to reduce the spread of invasive non native cotoneaster onto our extraordinary limestone grasslands. These grasslands are some of the most plant and insect-rich habitats in the UK and can have over 40 plant species per square meter.
Unfortunately, our limestone grasslands are at risk and now being smothered by cotoneaster- having a devastating effect on wildlife.
Acting as a seed source, garden cotoneaster is escalating this issue. Now considered in the top ten species having a negative impact on our protected sites in north Wales.
Identify the most dominant and invasive species of cotoneaster
Cotoneaster species are listed on the Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 England and Wales. Although still readily available to buy, it can be planted and contained in private gardens. However it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause these species to grow in the wild. GBNNSS
ID link: ID_Cotoneaster_sp _(Cotoneaster) (nonnativespecies.org)
Entire leaved cotoneaster (C. integrifolius)
- Evergreen low growing shrub
- Leaves: small elliptical, dark green and hairs underside
- Flowers: white, purple anthers
- Berries: late summer crimson colour, holds throughout winter
Himalayan cotoneaster (C. simonsii)
- Large hardy upright evergreen shrub
- Leaves: small none serrated, alternate along stem, glossy hairless upper and slight hairs on lower surface
- Flowers: pale pink, red patch centre of petal
- Berries: slightly larger, orange-red in clusters
Hollyberry cotoneaster (C. bullatus)
- Much larger deciduous shrub up to 4 metres
- Leaves: matt green, oval and pointed, indented veins growing alternate on stem
- Flowers: pink, 5 petal, white anthers
- Berries: bright red, large slight square-shaped
Small leaved cotoneaster (C. microphyllus)
- Evergreen low-lying shrub
- Leaves: glossy green top, grey/white underside, small (1cm length), elliptic
- Flowers: solitary white, 5 petals, dark violet anthers
- Berries: coral red and globular
Wall cotoneaster (C. horizontalis)
- Deciduous low growing shrub: herringbone-shaped branches, stems woody dark brown, hard and knotty
- Leaves: small dark green upper, pointed and shiny on both sides, red in autumn
- Flowers: pink, 5 petal with white anthers
- Berries: orange-red
How can you help?
Remove your garden cotoneaster in exchange for a FREE £20 National Garden gift voucher. Keep your garden buzzing and blooming with a wildlife friendly alternative! ⇒ Gardening without harmful invasive plants
Your support will help to protect our threatened species such as the hoary rock rose and the silver studded blue butterfly.
Please only remove cotoneaster from your own garden! You can report cotoneaster sightings on the INNS Mapper App
If you live in North Wales you may be eligible to take part, find out via the form below...
Stop the Spread
Most of our gardens contain plants that are not native to the UK - they originally came from another part of the world. While non-native plants can help us create beautiful ornamental displays to enjoy, if they escape into the wild some can become invasive.
Sign up and help reduce the spread of cotoneaster into the wild, by replacing your garden cotoneaster with a wildlife friendly alternative. Find our helpful tips of how to responsibly dispose of your unwanted cotoneaster below:
1. Place sheeting around the base of your unwanted cotoneaster - this will help catch any berries that may fall
2. Uproot or cut the cotoneaster using lopper or secateurs
3. Treat the exposed stumps with an appropriate herbicide
4. Take all material to a disposal centre that deals with non native invasive species, or safely and completely burn the material (details of permitted disposal sites: Natural Resources Wales)
Click on your county for council household waste recycling centre details (please check with your local facility if they accept cotoneaster waste before disposal)
Isle of Anglesey / Conwy / Denbighshire / Flintshire / Gwynedd / Wrexham
Here’s a handy guide to "Gardening without harmful invasive plants" including cotoneaster alternative shrubs (page 30) to keep your garden buzzing.
The GB Non-Native Species Secretariat has created useful "Tips for gardeners to Be Plant Wise" a campaign to help choose what to grow, how to stop the spread of invasive plants and composting with care after removal.
Questions or want to get involved? Contact us
Craig Wade, Limestone Grassland Restoration Project Officer
This project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme.
It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.