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Peking Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster acutifolius var. lucidus

Regular price $7999
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Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

 

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
$0 $19.99 $24.99
$20 $49.99 $29.99
$50 $69.99 $34.99
$70 $99.99 $39.99
$100 $129.99 $44.99
$130 $149.99 $48.99
$150 $150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Plant Highlights

Peking Cotoneaster highlights at a glance!

Specifications

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Cotoneaster acutifolius var. lucidus
  • Growing Zones
    3-7
  • Mature Height
    8 - 10 feet
  • Mature Spread
    5 - 6 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun, Partial Shade
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Well Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Fast
  • Flower Color
    Pink & White
  • Fall Color
    Red, Orange
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Pruning Time
    After Flowering
  • Bloom Period
    Late Spring

Looking for a great hedging solution to give structure to your landscape? Imagine shiny, dark green foliage paired with sweet flowers covering every stem in spring. Even better - this hedge is easy-care and full of charm!

Want to feed butterflies and songbirds with zero effort? Then add the Peking Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolius var. lucidus) to your shortlist today. This flowering shrub offers four-season interest and a reputation for toughness.

Peking Cotoneaster is a deciduous shrub with slender, upright, spreading branches. Young plants grow straight and tidy, but with time, they mature into a rounded, elegant form in open, sunny areas.

In mid-spring, apple blossom-like pink buds open to reveal soft white petals. Pollinators adore these blooms, and butterflies flock in for nectar. By late summer, small black berries form, lasting into winter until hungry songbirds swoop in for a feast.

The foliage is glossy and deep green all summer, then transforms into a fiery finale of scarlet, orange, and purplish tones in fall. A true four-season showstopper!

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

  • Elegant, shiny green foliage
  • Pink, apple blossom-like flowers in spring
  • Bird-friendly black berries that persist into winter
  • Fast-growing and hardy to -40°F
  • Brilliant scarlet, orange, and purple fall colors
  • Versatile use as a hedge, screen, specimen, or anchor shrub

Landscaping Uses

From a distance, you might think this is a Holly - the handsome shiny green leaves give that impression. But don't be fooled! This hardy shrub laughs at frigid temperatures, thriving even at -40°F. In fact, gardeners in Canada and Alaska espalier Cotoneaster on walls or train them into unique forms. These hedging plants are incredibly cold-hardy and adaptable!

This classic flowering bush is ideal for hedges, privacy screens, or property borders. It provides flowers, berries, and stunning fall color all in one package. Use Peking Cotoneaster as:

  • A dense, informal flowering hedge
  • A backdrop to garden beds and perennial borders
  • A privacy screen along sidewalks or property lines
  • A substitute for Boxwood or Privet in deer-resistant landscapes
  • Bird-friendly shelterbelts in open yards
  • A sheared hedge in formal settings for modern design
  • A multi-trunked accent tree when limbed up
  • A hardy foundation planting with Autumn Inferno® Cotoneaster companions

Care & Maintenance

Peking Cotoneaster thrives in USDA hardiness zones 3-7. This deciduous flowering shrub is pollution-tolerant, very adaptable, and easy to grow. All it asks for is well-drained soil and enough sunlight.

  • Planting Time: Spring or fall
  • Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
  • Soil Requirements: Adaptable to most soil types, but must have good drainage
  • Moisture Needs: Moderate - use the Finger Test to check soil moisture. Provide regular water during the first year to establish strong roots.
  • Mulching: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch over the root zone to regulate soil moisture.
  • Fertilization: Use compost or balanced shrub fertilizer in early spring.
  • Pruning: Prune right after flowering if shaping is desired. It can also be sheared for hedges.
  • Special Perks: Pollution-tolerant, deer-resistant, low-maintenance, and extremely cold-hardy.

Don't forget to add Nature Hills Root Booster to your planting hole for lifelong root support.

We regularly sell out of this magnificent shrub. Order now, and enjoy the beauty, wildlife value, and easy care of Peking Cotoneaster from Nature Hills Nursery!

Frequently Asked Questions

What growing zones are best for Peking Cotoneaster?

  • It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2–7.

How big does Peking Cotoneaster get?

  • It matures about 6–10 feet tall and wide, forming a rounded hedge or screen.

Does Peking Cotoneaster need full sun?

  • Yes, it grows best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.

Is Peking Cotoneaster deer-resistant?

  • Yes, it is naturally deer-resistant and low-maintenance.

What wildlife does Peking Cotoneaster attract?

  • Pollinators visit its spring flowers, and birds love the berries in late summer and fall.

Customer Reviews

Based on 11 reviews
64%
(7)
36%
(4)
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(0)
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J
Judy
Still Green after the Snow!

I live in the mountains in Idaho. The maps all say we are zone 5, but really we are zone 4 because of the elevation. This plant was under about 10" of snow for a very long winter. Not to mention its in a raised bed, so I thought that would make it more vulnerable, less protected. Although quite a few of my zone 4 plants survived and are starting to show signs of life, (April) this one is still green and looks like it barely noticed the winter at all. I will be adding a lot of these to the garden this year. My entire garden is inside a deer fence, so I cant speak the issue of deer bait. Judy

Dear Judy,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with us! It’s truly inspiring to hear how resilient your plant has been—even after enduring 10 inches of snow and a long winter in your high-elevation Zone 4 garden. Raised beds can sometimes expose plants to tougher conditions, so it’s fantastic that this one not only survived but remained vibrant and green. Your observation about your map’s zones reflects a great understanding of microclimates, which can definitely make a significant difference in plant survivability.

We love that you’re planning to add many more of these plants to your garden! Since your area is well-protected by a deer fence, you’re free to enjoy these beauties without typical browsing concerns, which is wonderful. If you ever want tips on amplifying plant success in challenging elevations or dealing with prevalent wildlife, feel free to reach out—we have a range of resources tailored for different USDA zones and conditions right here on NatureHills.com.

Thanks again, Judy. Your testimonial not only brightens our day but will helpful to other stunning high-altitude gardeners!

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

T
Trent
Beautiful Year Round

Amazing right out of the box, and has great fall color!

Hi Trent,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear your new plant impressed you right out of the box and that you’re enjoying its vibrant fall color. It’s always our goal to provide beautiful, healthy plants that bring joy year-round. If you’d like tips on how to care for your plant through the seasons or ideas to complement it with other colorful varieties, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help you cultivate that beauty all year long!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

T
Trent
Beautiful Year Round

Amazing right out of the box, and has great fall color!

Hi Trent,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear your new plant was amazing right out of the box and that you’re enjoying its beautiful fall color. Plants with year-round appeal truly add such charm to any space!

If you ever want tips on care or inspiration for adding complementary plants to your garden, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to help your garden thrive through every season.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

V
Virginia
the bush was good size

the bush was good size about 3.5 feet high with a good root system. 6 years ago, we purchase 17 bushesand they are growing nicely as an hedge at the back of our property. We have sandy soil and very little sunshine because are planted under and inbetween 50 foot evergreens (about 30 years old) Peking cotoneaster grows well in shady areas..that is why we purchased them.

Dear Virginia,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Peking cotoneasters you purchased from us six years ago! We’re thrilled to hear that the bushes arrived at a good size with a strong root system and that they have flourished into a lovely hedge despite the challenging sandy soil and limited sunshine under those majestic evergreens. Your insight about the Peking cotoneaster’s tolerance for shade will surely help other gardeners facing similar conditions.

If you ever decide to expand your hedge or add new plants that can thrive in shady, sandy environments, please don’t hesitate to reach out—our team would be happy to suggest options tailored to your garden’s unique conditions.

Thanks again for your thoughtful review and for trusting Nature Hills as part of your gardening journey!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

V
Virginia
the bush was good size

the bush was good size about 3.5 feet high with a good root system. 6 years ago, we purchase 17 bushesand they are growing nicely as an hedge at the back of our property. We have sandy soil and very little sunshine because are planted under and inbetween 50 foot evergreens (about 30 years old) Peking cotoneaster grows well in shady areas..that is why we purchased them.

Dear Virginia,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Peking cotoneaster bushes you purchased from us! We're delighted to hear that the bushes arrived healthy with a strong root system and have thrived into a lovely hedge over the past six years. Your success story, especially in those challenging sandy soil and low-light conditions under large evergreens, is truly inspiring.

It's great to know that the Peking cotoneaster continues to perform well in the shady areas you described—these resilient bushes are indeed perfect for such spots, offering both shade tolerance and beautiful growth. If you ever need tips on maintaining or pruning your hedge to keep it healthy and attractive, feel free to reach out. We also recommend mulching around the base to help retain moisture in your sandy soil and occasionally checking for any pests or diseases.

Thank you again for being a valued member of the Nature Hills family. We're here to support you with whatever you need to keep your garden thriving.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

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