Bearberry cotoneaster.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet tall, 6 feet wide

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil and ensure it gets plenty of sunlight to encourage the best berry production. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or scale insects, which can occasionally bother the foliage. Prune back any unruly stems after the berries have dropped to keep the shape tidy.

Watering

Water deeply once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.

Pruning

Trim back long or damaged stems in late winter or early spring.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes rootbound in its container.

Soil

Well draining, loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

All parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides which can be harmful if ingested in large quantities.

Pets

The berries may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by cats or dogs.

Children

The bright red berries can be tempting to small children and should be kept out of reach to prevent ingestion.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen may cause mild reactions in those prone to seasonal allergies.

Edibility

The berries are generally considered inedible and may cause stomach upset if consumed.

How to identify it

• Prostrate, mat forming growth habit
• Small, leathery, dark green leaves
• Tiny white or pinkish flowers
• Bright red, persistent berries
• Trailing, woody stems

Height

0.1 to 0.3m

Spread

1 to 2m

Leaves

dark green, evergreen

Flowers

white, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

red, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

• Fire BlightCommon
• Scale InsectsCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, layering, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

It is hardy and requires no special protection in most climates. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent winter root rot.

In containers

It grows well in large, wide containers, but ensure the pot has excellent drainage to prevent root rot.

Pair this with taller, upright shrubs to create a layered look that hides the bare stems of larger plants.

Grows well with

• Juniper — They share similar soil and light requirements while providing contrasting textures.
• Daylily — The upright foliage of daylilies complements the low, spreading habit of the cotoneaster.

Similar species

• Rockspray Cotoneaster — It has a similar spreading habit but with a distinct herringbone branching pattern.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Cotoneaster

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Central China

Conservation

This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated.

It grows as a prostrate shrub in rocky, mountainous areas where it stabilizes soil.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, winter food for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

groundcover, erosion control, rock gardens, bank stabilization

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it deer resistant?

Yes, it generally has moderate resistance to deer browsing.

Does it need pruning?

Pruning is rarely needed, but you can trim it back in late winter to maintain its shape.

Where the name comes from

The name refers to the foliage resemblance to the quince tree, while dammeri honors the collector U. Dammer.

Good to know

• The name Cotoneaster comes from the Latin cotoneum meaning quince and aster meaning resembling.
• It is native to central China.
• The trailing stems can root wherever they touch the soil, helping the plant spread.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs