Cranberry Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster apiculatus

Nature Hills Nursery

Cranberry-Red Berries Persist Through Winter for Extended Fall and Holiday Interest
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-7
Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 4-6 ft Wide
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollution Tolerant
Showy Pink Blooms in Late Spring

$86⁷⁵ $89⁷⁵

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Plant Size

#2 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to encourage the heaviest berry production and most vibrant fall color. While this shrub tolerates partial shade, too little sun often results in leggy, loose growth and significantly fewer flowers and fruits.
Soil: Cranberry Cotoneaster adapts to most soil types but absolutely requires excellent drainage to prevent root rot. If you are working with heavy clay, amend the soil with compost or peat moss to improve airflow; for sandy soils, add organic matter to help hold necessary moisture near the roots.

Watering Requirements

Your new plant needs consistent moisture during its first growing season to establish a deep, resilient root system. Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, though you should still provide a deep soak during prolonged dry spells to keep the foliage lush and the berries plump. If watering is inconsistent or neglected during summer heat, the plant may drop its fruit early or develop scorched leaf edges.

Pruning Tips

This shrub blooms on new wood, so the best time to prune is late winter or very early spring before new growth begins. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to open up the center of the plant for better air circulation, which helps prevent disease. Avoid shearing off just the tips, as this ruins the natural arching habit; instead, cut rogue branches all the way back to a main stem or the ground.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release shrub fertilizer in early spring just as the buds begin to swell. Avoid applying high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the growing season (after July), as this encourages soft, tender growth that will likely be damaged by the first winter frost.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Drought resistant, Flowering, Groundcover, Cold hardy, Evergreen, Fast-growing
Hardiness Zone	4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	2-3 ft
Width	4-6 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Bushy, Compact, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Pink
Foliage Color	Green
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Botanical Name	Cotoneaster apiculatus
Class	Rosales, Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT

Hardy, pretty groundcover, if you need a beautifully reliable plant that covers ground and adds interest in a tough area, try Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)! You'll gain so many ornamental features from a durable, rugged little deciduous shrub.

These small plants feature pretty pink flowers in late spring that draw pollinators and butterflies. They'll slowly transition to showy, small red cranberry-like fruits, which develop in summer and hang well into winter. If the birds let them stick around! Songbirds swoop in to gobble up these ornamental fruits!

It's covered in very glossy green, round leaves all summer long. Starting in fall, they'll burnish into beautiful bronze hues of purples and reds to color the end of the season.

Of course, those bright, red berries will make it a standout in your winter landscape! When fruiting, this shrub looks like it's decorated for the holidays. These fruits add exceptional interest and beauty while attracting local birds that feast on the bright fruit.

Even the informal, spreading form itself delivers a visual impact. Small branches arch up from the crown and then drop down, adding a sense of motion. As the arching branches touch the ground, they'll root and slowly spread to reach their mature size. These ground-covering small shrubs are easy to grow and maintain!

Planting and Application:

Pronounced "Koh toh knee aster", rely on Cranberry Cotoneaster for year-round interest! Use this versatile small shrub throughout your landscape to tie the entire design together. You'll enjoy flowers, red cranberry-like fruits for months, and fall color!

Add them to high-profile places in your landscape. Plant them in your foundations for a colorful, sophisticated modern look. You can also plant them as noteworthy plants near the edge of your mixed shrub borders.

They make excellent specimens in Asian-style gardens. Try your hand at the patient art of bonsai with these lovely plants! Let ramble throughout Rock Gardens and along the front of your foundation planting.

Of course, they make wonderful mass plantings on slopes and hillsides. Plant them three feet apart on center so they grow together and touch. Measure from the center of one to the center of the next.

Create fantastic informal drifts in large landscapes with rock outcroppings or hillsides rising above a patio. They are wonderful decorative erosion control for slopes and terraced areas!

Beautiful Pink Flowers in Late Spring
Glossy, Dark Green Foliage
Foliage Turns Purple & Red in Fall
Accented by Red Fruit - Showy for Months
Sprawling, Versatile Groundcover, Colorful Foundation Plant & Mass Plantings

#ProPlantTips for Care:

It thrives in full sun to show off the high-gloss foliage, but will also grow in partial shade, too. For the best berry production, give it at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. It requires well-drained soil, so mound up or use a raised bed for planting if your drainage is sluggish. Water regularly during its first year as it works to establish a strong root system. Give it a moderate amount of water from then on for the best performance. It's nice to note that this plant is tolerant of periodic drought.

For best results, water during extended drought and provide a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around the entire root system. Prune wayward branches back below the outline of the canopy any time of year. The goal of pruning should be to reduce the size while retaining the true mounded and arching growth habit.

Grows Best in Full Sun & Partial Shade
Widely Adaptable to a Variety of Conditions & Well-Drained Soils
Moderate Moisture Needs -Drought Tolerant Once Established
Prune After Flowering
Very Adaptable, Pollution-Tolerant & Easy-To-Grow

Add this special "4 season" plant to your landscape today! Perfect for low-maintenance landscapes, the hardy Cranberry Cotoneaster will be an anchor for your garden design! Order these small but mighty groundcover shrubs from the experts at Nature Hills today! Our expert growers will pack and ship them directly to your door.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and spread of Cranberry Cotoneaster?

Cranberry Cotoneaster typically reaches 2-3 feet tall and spreads 4-6 feet wide at maturity. This low-growing shrub spreads naturally as its arching branches touch the ground and root. Allow plenty of space for its spreading habit when planting.

Is Cranberry Cotoneaster drought tolerant once established?

Cranberry Cotoneaster is quite drought tolerant once established, thanks to its rugged, durable nature. This hardy groundcover thrives in tough conditions where other plants struggle. Water regularly the first year, then reduce frequency as it matures.

When and how should I prune Cranberry Cotoneaster?

Prune Cranberry Cotoneaster in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Since it spreads by rooting where branches touch ground, simply trim back any growth that extends beyond your desired area. Light pruning maintains its natural arching form while controlling spread.

What common pests or diseases affect Cranberry Cotoneaster, like fire blight or spider mites?

Cranberry Cotoneaster is remarkably disease-resistant and rarely troubled by serious pests. Occasional aphids or scale insects may appear, but the plant's natural hardiness keeps most problems at bay. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overwatering to prevent any potential fungal issues.

Is Cranberry Cotoneaster safe for areas with pets or kids, since the berries might be toxic?

Cranberry Cotoneaster berries are mildly toxic if consumed in large quantities by pets or children. While birds safely eat the bright red fruits, the berries can cause stomach upset in humans and animals. Plant away from high-traffic play areas or consider fencing around mature shrubs available at naturehills.com.

What size are Cranberry Cotoneaster plants when shipped, and how are they packaged?

Cranberry Cotoneaster ships as young nursery plants ready for immediate planting. These small deciduous shrubs arrive well-packaged to protect their root systems during transport. Plant them in spring or fall for best establishment in your landscape.

Cranberry Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster apiculatus