This widely planted species does not seem to have become generally naturalized in eastern states. There is coll. from PEND (KNK) of a possibly naturalized plant, which was erroneously referred to C. apiculatus Rehd. & Wilson in some previous listings of the Ky. flora. P. Zika (pers. comm.) provided the correct determination (FNA 9). Several other species of Cotoneaster may be expected as escapes in Ky. However, this Eurasian genus is most successful in more cool and humid regions. The low sprawling small-leaved species, C. horizontalis Decne., is among the most widely grown species, especially in Europe, but it rarely persists or escapes in eastern North America (K, FNA 9).