(Cranberry Cotoneaster)

Introduced from its native western China in 1919, cranberry cotoneaster is a clump-forming deciduous shrub with a low spreading habit. It bears pink flowers in early summer followed by cranberry-sized red fruit in the fall. Along with the autumn fruit display, this plant’s leaves turn ablaze with red, red-purple and bronze color. Its stems are purple-red and when broken, smell of maraschino cherries.

Cranberry cotoneaster is less troubled with disease and insects than other cotoneasters and...

(Cranberry Cotoneaster, Tom Thumb Cotoneaster)

Originating from western China, Tom Thumb cranberry cotoneaster is a dwarf, clump-forming deciduous shrub with a low spreading habit. Its small medium green leaves turn ablaze with red color in fall, and its stems smell of maraschino cherries when broken. This slow-growing dwarf seldom bears flowers or fruit. Cranberry cotoneaster is less troubled with disease and insects than other cotoneasters and grows best where winters are cold. Provide it with average, well drained soil and full sun. In the...

(Bearberry Cotoneaster)

Bearberry cotoneaster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with a low, spreading habit. Native to central China, it has small, glossy, green leaves and tiny white flowers in late spring, so numerous they make the wispy shrub look snow-laden, almost like a Spiraea. In fall, the branches fill with red berries and by winter the leaves take on a purplish hue in the cold.

Bearberry cotoneaster grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full or partial sun, but is adaptable to many soil types. It...

(Bearberry Cotoneaster, Lowfast Cotoneaster)

Lowfast cotoneaster is a vigorous, hardy, evergreen shrub with a spreading habit and decorative red fruit in fall. A selection from a central China native, ‘Lowfast’ matures at the same low height as its parent. Its glossy green foliage is accompanied by a profusion of tiny white or pale pink flowers in late spring, making the wispy shrub look almost flocked with bloom. In fall the branches fill with red berries and by winter the foliage takes on a purplish hue in the cold.

Bearberry cotoneaster...

(Bearberry Cotoneaster, Royal Beauty Cotoneaster)

Royal Beauty cotoneaster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with a spreading habit and decorative red fruit in fall. A selection from a central China native, it matures at a taller height than the species. Its glossy green foliage is joined in late spring by an immense profusion of tiny white flowers. In fall the branches fill with red berries and by winter the foliage takes on a purplish hue in the cold.

Bearberry cotoneaster grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full or partial sun, but is...

(Bearberry Cotoneaster, Streibs Findling Cotoneaster)

Streibs Findling cotoneaster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with a very low, spreading habit and abundant decorative red fruits in fall. Selected from a central China native, it matures at a much lower height and has smaller leaves than the species. Its mildly glossy green foliage is accompanied in late spring by enormous numbers of tiny white flowers. In fall the branches fill with red berries and by winter the foliage takes on a purplish hue in the cold.

Bearberry cotoneaster grows best in...

(Bearberry Cotoneaster, Walter's Canadian Cotoneaster)

Bearberry cotoneaster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub with a low, spreading habit. Native to central China, it has small, glossy, green leaves and tiny white flowers in late spring, so numerous they make the wispy shrub look snow-laden, almost like a spiraea. In fall, the branches fill with red berries and by winter the leaves take on a purplish hue in the cold.

Bearberry cotoneaster grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full or partial sun, but is adaptable to many soil types. It is the ideal...

(Diels' Cotoneaster)

This Old World genus comprises approximately 80 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees, several of which are popular garden subjects. Prostrate and trailing forms of Cotoneaster horizontalis, C. dammeri, C. apiculatus, and C. salicifolius are familiar and widely used groundcovers. Taller cotoneasters (such as C. multiflorus) are less common in landscapes, but are occasionally planted for their attractive...

(Spreading Cotoneaster)

This upright deciduous shrub is notable for a display of red berries and vibrant red-purple leaves in autumn. The many upright branches of this native of central and western China bear dark green glossy leaves. In very late spring or early summer, scores of tiny, pinkish white flowers line the branches, and once pollinated by bees produce dark red berries in clusters. The fall foliage is glowing red to reddish-purple and is long lasting, as are the fruits.

Spreading cotoneaster is an adaptable...

(Hess' Cotoneaster)

This is a sprawling, low-growing deciduous shrub often used as a groundcover. The arching branches are covered with small, glossy green leaves that stay fresh the whole growing season. The tiny red-pink flowers appear in spring and attract bees. They are followed by bright-red fruits that remain eye-catching into winter. It prefers a sunny spot with well-drained soil. An established plant will tolerate drought but all fare poorly in hot, humid climates.

This is a handsome groundcover for adding...