Photo: Christine Eiken VebenstadCC BY 4.0

2 named cultivars

groundcover

Bearberry Cotoneaster

The Story

Plant Bio

Cotoneaster dammeri, bearberry cotoneaster, is a prostrate broadleaf evergreen shrub from Tibet and central China, growing about a foot high and spreading four to six feet. Small glossy dark green leaves cover creeping stems that root where they touch, white saucer-shaped flowers open in late spring, and bright red berries follow and persist into winter.

It roots as it runs, which makes it one of the best evergreen groundcovers for holding a bank or slope against erosion. Fireblight is the thing that kills it — whole branches blacken suddenly as though scorched, and the only response is to cut well below the damage and disinfect tools between cuts. Avoid overhead watering, which spreads it.

Uses & Benefits:

A low glossy evergreen carpet with white spring flowers and red berries that hold into winter.

Roots as it spreads, making it one of the best evergreen covers for holding a slope.

Songbirds take the berries through winter, and pollinators work the spring flowers.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

12 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Tibet to central China

Toxicity

Berries are mildly toxic if eaten in quantity

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun or partial shade in drained soil.
Space plants three feet apart to knit together.
Water at soil level, never over the foliage.
Watch for suddenly blackened shoots in wet springs.
Cut fireblight out well below the damage.
Disinfect tools between every cut.

Pro Tip

Blackened shoots that look scorched are fireblight — cut a foot below the damage and disinfect the blade between every cut.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Use it to hold banks and slopes ⛰️
Water at soil level only 💧
Cut fireblight out well below damage ✂️
Disinfect tools between cuts 🧴

Don't

Water over the foliage ❌
Prune during wet spring weather ❌
Compost fireblight prunings ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Inspect
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Evergreen groundcover on banks and slopesSpilling over walls and raised bedsErosion control on difficult ground

Companion Plants

Juniper SedumBlue Fescue Creeping Thyme Barberry

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bearberry Cotoneaster questions

What zones can Bearberry Cotoneaster grow in?

Bearberry Cotoneaster is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Bearberry Cotoneaster deer resistant?

Yes — Bearberry Cotoneaster is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Bearberry Cotoneaster bloom?

Bearberry Cotoneaster typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bearberry Cotoneaster need full sun?

Bearberry Cotoneaster does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Bearberry Cotoneaster drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Bearberry Cotoneaster handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.