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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cotoneaster adpressus Cotoneaster adpressus
Cotoneaster divaricatus Cotoneaster divaricatus
Cotoneaster horizontalis Cotoneaster horizontalis
Cotoneaster apiculatus has some common disease problems:
Fire Blight

Cotoneaster apiculatus

Phonetic Spelling
koh-toh-nee-ASS-ter ah-pik-yoo-LAY-tus
Description

Cranberry Cotoneaster is a dense, broad upright mounding deciduous shrub or tall groundcover from China. The common name refers to the red cranberry like fruits that appear in the fall and persist into the early winter. 

Plant in sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. Its spreading habit make it an excellent choice as a ground cover where the spread can flourish, providing erosion control.  It also makes a showy display along the top of walls on in a large planter, its cascading habit at its best.  It tolerates a range of site conditions except for wet ones. It doesn't do well in hot humid climates of the deep south.

It is primarily grown for its showy red fruits which appear in the fall after spring flowers. The small glossy green leaves add additional interest with nice fall color.The shrub will mature at 3 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide

Its resistance to rabbits, compaction, pollution and salt make it a versatile plant.  It is drought tolerant once established and can be used for erosion control on banks as the stems root where they touch the ground.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Prone to spider mites in dry weather.  Web worms can also be a problem.  Minimal issues with fire blight. 

If eaten, the fruits can cause an upset stomach.

Its low, arching and multi-stemmed habit tends to cause debris to collect and weeds to be an issue.  A layer of mulch can help prevent weeds.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blackburn'
'Blackburn'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#showy fruits#well-drained soil#foundation planting#compaction tolerant#pomes#winter garden#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Blackburn'
'Blackburn'
Tags:
#deciduous#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#deciduous shrub#winter interest#fall interest#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#showy fruits#well-drained soil#foundation planting#compaction tolerant#pomes#winter garden#heat intolerant#humidity intolerant#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cotoneaster
    Species:
    apiculatus
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central China
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts Birds
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Tolerates rabbits, erosion, pollution
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Broad
    Erect
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Description:
    Round, glossy red fruits mature in late summer and persist into winter. They will drop when ripe, and often eaten by birds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small pink buds open to pinkish/white flowers in late spring. The flowers are tightly pressed t the stems. The plant can be showy when in full bloom.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    3/4 inch long oval glossy green leaves. Fall color is showy in shades of red, purple and bronze.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    The branches are stiffly arching. Young stems are reddish/purple. As they mature, they will turn a olive-brown and become somewhat porous.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Meadow
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Drought
    Erosion
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Messy