Cotoneaster dammeri
Bearberry cotoneaster
Common names: Creeping cotoneaster
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy
- Pruning
- Mar–Apr
- Flowering
- May–Jun
Photo: Père Igor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
Cotoneaster dammeri is a glossy evergreen groundcover that spreads by creeping, low‑growing stems, quickly forming dense mats. In May and June (weeks 19 to 24) it produces small white flowers that attract bees and other insects. From autumn onward bright red berries adorn the branches and often persist into winter. The berries are mildly toxic to humans and pets; ingestion of large amounts can cause stomach upset, so children and dogs should be kept away. Its compact growth makes it ideal for stabilizing slopes, rock gardens, and other challenging areas, while its dark green foliage provides year‑round structure.
Care instructions
Plant in a sunny to partially shaded spot on well‑drained, not overly wet soil. After planting in spring or autumn (weeks 12 to 16 or 38 to 42), water regularly during the first few weeks; thereafter the plant tolerates occasional dry periods. Pruning is rarely necessary but helps keep growth in check. In spring remove dead or diseased shoots to prevent spread; Cotoneaster can host fire blight, so promptly discard any wilted, brown‑tinged stems in household waste. For fruit production, consider the compact ‘Coral Beauty’ variety.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringMay–Jun
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, lean, sandy, dry
The bearberry cotoneaster likes free-draining, rather lean soil and tolerates drought well once established. It dislikes waterlogging entirely, so choose a sunny slope or a bed with a sandy subsoil. It copes well with most pH values from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Feeding
Light feeder
As an undemanding ground cover, the bearberry cotoneaster needs practically no feeding. A thin layer of compost in spring is quite enough to supply it with everything it needs. Soil that is too rich in nutrients promotes soft growth prone to disease rather than strong shoots.
Pruning
Regular pruning is not necessary for the bearberry cotoneaster; it grows by itself into a lovely, dense shape. If you want to limit its spread or shorten shoots that are too long, do it best in early spring before new growth. Remove only individual shoots that grow too wildly, rather than cutting the whole plant into shape.
Overwintering
The bearberry cotoneaster is hardy in Central Europe and needs no special protection. Its semi-evergreen foliage mostly stays on the shoots in winter and provides some green in the otherwise bare bed. Only in very exposed locations with sharp wind is brushwood protection worthwhile for young plants in their first winter.
Propagation
Methods
- Cuttings
- Layering
The easiest way to propagate the bearberry cotoneaster is by cuttings in late summer. Cut semi-ripe shoot tips about 10 cm long and insert them in free-draining seed compost. Since the shoots creep along the ground anyway, layering also works well. Simply cover a spot on the shoot with soil and wait until it forms its own roots there before you separate it.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Bearberry cotoneaster yourself
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