Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Bearberry Cotoneaster.
Cotoneaster dammeri
Pronounced koh-TOH-nee-uh-ster DAM-er-ee
Also known as Bearberry Cotoneaster
This is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub that's fantastic for ground cover. It's tough and adaptable, making it a great choice for challenging spots. It produces lovely small white flowers followed by bright red berries.
At a glance
- Care level
- Easy
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Indoor light
- bright-indirect
- Water
- Every 7 to 14 days
- Mature size
- 1-2 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Growth rate
- medium
- Hardiness
- USDA 4 to 8
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
Care
Water regularly when the top inch of soil is dry, especially when establishing. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Watch for signs of scale or aphids, though it's generally pest-resistant.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry; reduce frequency in cooler weather.
- Feeding
- Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
- Pruning
- Prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove any dead or crossing branches.
- Repotting
- Repot container-grown plants every 2-3 years or when root-bound.
- Soil
- Well-drained loam, sand, or clay
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 7.5
- Temperature
- -34.4 to 32.2°C
- Humidity
- 20 to 60%
Safety
- Pets
- May cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
How to identify it
- Low, spreading habit
- Small, dark green leaves
- White flowers in spring
- Bright red berries in fall
- Tough, adaptable nature
- Height
- 0.3 to 0.6m
- Spread
- 1.2 to 1.8m
- Leaves
- dark green, evergreen
- Flowers
- white, 0.5 to 1cm
- Fruit
- red, Late summer to fall
Growing it
- Propagation
- cuttings, layering
- When to plant
- spring, fall
Science
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Genus
- Cotoneaster
- Order
- Rosales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Through the year
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Is your bearberry cotoneaster looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.