Bearberry cotoneaster is an easy to grow evergreen to semi-evergreen low growing spreading shrub that can reach 1 foot tall and 6 feet wide. Its common name comes from the attraction as a food source the berries receive from bears. It grows from a central root system, with a trailing habit that will root along the ground as is grows and spreads. New shoots are formed where rooting occurs. Over time, a thicket can be formed. Due to the rooting capabilities of Bearberry cotoneaster, the easiest method of propagation can be accomplished by layering. This is typically done in the fall. Softwood cuttings in the early summer is another successful method. The small, insignificant, white spring flowers boom in May and are followed by red fruits that persist into winter. Fall leaf color is reddish-bronze to purple. It prefers well-drained, loam based soils, however, is adaptable to various soil types. Effective in rock gardens and low banks for erosion control. It is drought tolerant once established and will quickly cover an area. Occasional watering will give you a better fruit production. Prune as needed to prevent a ragged appearance. Ingested fruits may cause mild stomach upset. Growing in zones south of zone 7 may not produce the best conditions for Bearberry cotoneaster. It will struggle during the hot summers. Quick ID Hints : Low-growing evergreen shrub with prostrate twigs Small, elliptic-oblong leaves on dwarf shoots The red berry has a 5-pointed star at the end Branching occurs in all planes Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Prone to attack by lace bugs. Spider mites can occur in dry conditions. Scale and fireblight can also affect this plant. May need protection in locations with colder climates.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Dense; Horizontal; Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The dark green leaves are 1 1/4 inch long and 5/8 inch wide with glossy gray-green undersides. The fall color is bronzy-red to purplish.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Saucer
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
5 petaled 1/2 inch white flowers with purple anthers appear from late spring to early summer. They may bloom as a single flower or in pairs.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The 1-4 inch red berries with a 5-pointed star at the end appear in summer and persist into winter. The crop is sometimes small. Birds and animals devour the fruits.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is a light gray to light brown.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Fine, pubescent when young, changing to reddish-brown at maturity. It branches in all planes. The branches are slender and stiff.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Tibet to Central China
Wildlife value
Attracts birds, butterflies and both small and large wildlife.