Cotoneaster dammeri

Bearberry Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster dammeri
Type: Evergreen Groundcover
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular to Drought Tolerant

The cotoneaster family includes relatives that are evergreen, semi-evergreen or deciduous, and shrubs that grow as tall as 10ft (3m) or as short as 6in (15cm). This one is of the latter variety, featuring sprawling branches that spread to 10ft (3m) horizontally, but will reach only 8in (20cm) high. Bright, glossy green leaves stay that way the year ’round (sometimes turning purplish during the winter) and are then accompanied by small fragrant white flowers in the spring, which are followed by long-lasting, brilliant red berries in the fall and winter. This one’s often seen cascading over walls or scrambling down a bank; its tolerance of poor soils makes it an especially good candidate for erosion control. It’s a tough, relatively carefree plant, requiring little to no pruning (in fact, it looks better without it).

Fun Fact: The common name refers to its strong resemblance to Bearberry or Kinnickkinnick (Arctostapholous uva-ursi), a familiar and useful native groundcover itself in this region. (More on this later…stay tuned!)

Flower photo courtesy of www.nurseryguide.com

Cheers,

John