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COTONEASTER apiculatus

Image of Cotoneaster apiculatus

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

COTONEASTER apiculatus

Plant Common Name

Cranberry Cotoneaster

General Description

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 grows best where winters are cold. Provide it with average, well drained soil and full sun. In the landscape it works well as a foundation plant or large groundcover. It makes a nice addition to rock gardens or mixed borders and may even be trained into an espaliered form.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 5

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 7

  • Sunset Zone

    A3, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Width

    3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Summer, Summer

  • Native To

    China

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Purple, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Red, Purple

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    Yes

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Fine

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No