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Bearberry Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster dammeri

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Evergreen shrub
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
20 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, rocky places, walls.

Flower:
֍
White, 5 petals
 
Flowers appear in abundance. They are small, white and have purple anthers.
Fruit:
Bright red, solitary berries, up to 7mm in diameter. The fruit persist well into the winter months.
Leaves:
A crawling, dense, dwarf (usually) evergreen shrub. Small, leathery, elliptical, pointed leaves with a prominent midrib. The leaves turn purple in autumn.
Aroma:
The flowers are fragrant.
Other Names:
Prostrate Cotoneaster.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Cotoneaster dammeri is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to China. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree with dark green leaves and small, pink flowers that appear in the spring. In the fall, the plant produces small, red berries that are attractive to birds. Cotoneaster dammeri is known for its attractive flowers and berries and is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. The leaves of Cotoneaster dammeri are glossy and have a smooth margin. They are arranged alternately on the stem and are oblong or elliptical in shape. The plant is named after the German botanist Carl Dammer.

Blog

Bearberry Cotoneaster, also known as Cotoneaster dammeri, is a beautiful, low-growing shrub that is native to parts of Asia, Europe and Africa. This hardy and versatile plant is a great addition to any landscape or garden, offering a range of benefits for both wildlife and gardeners alike. In this blog, we'll explore the unique features and characteristics of Bearberry Cotoneaster, and why it's worth considering for your garden.

One of the standout features of Bearberry Cotoneaster is its compact, creeping growth habit. This shrub typically grows to be only about 6-8 inches tall, but it can spread up to 5 feet wide. This makes it an excellent groundcover option for larger areas, or for slopes where erosion control is a concern. The leaves are small and glossy, and the plant produces clusters of small white or pink flowers in the spring, followed by bright red or orange berries in the fall. These berries are a great food source for birds and other wildlife, and they provide an attractive accent in the landscape.

In terms of care and maintenance, Bearberry Cotoneaster is very low-maintenance and adaptable to a range of growing conditions. It is hardy and tolerant of cold, heat, drought and soil types, and it can grow in full sun or partial shade. It is also low-maintenance, requiring little to no pruning, and it is resistant to pests and diseases.

One of the best things about Bearberry Cotoneaster is its versatility. It can be used in a variety of landscaping applications, from rock gardens and border plantings to mass plantings and mixed shrub beds. It is also great for smaller gardens, as it won't take up much space, but it will still provide a lot of visual interest and color. Additionally, it can be grown in containers, making it a great option for apartment balconies or patios.

Another benefit of Bearberry Cotoneaster is its low water requirements. Once established, it is able to survive on natural rainfall, making it a great choice for xeriscape or water-wise gardens. It is also salt tolerant, making it a great option for coastal gardens or for areas that are prone to salt damage from winter de-icing.

One of the keys to the success of Bearberry Cotoneaster is its ability to thrive in a range of soils, from sandy to clay. It is important to plant it in well-drained soil and avoid planting it in areas that are prone to standing water. To ensure optimal growth and health, it is recommended to fertilize Bearberry Cotoneaster in the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

In terms of design, Bearberry Cotoneaster is a great plant for adding texture and interest to your garden. Its small, glossy leaves and bright berries are a great accent, and its low-growing habit makes it a great filler plant for between larger shrubs or perennials. It also makes a great border or edging plant, as it will not take over and will stay within its designated space.

Bearberry Cotoneaster is also a great choice for use in erosion control and slope stabilizationization. Its low-growing, creeping habit makes it an excellent option for planting on slopes, where its roots can help to anchor the soil and prevent erosion. This is especially important in areas that are prone to heavy rainfall or runoff, where the soil can become easily washed away.

Bearberry Cotoneaster is a versatile, low-maintenance and hardy shrub that is a great addition to any garden. Whether you're looking for a groundcover, a filler plant, or an attractive shrub for a mixed bed, Bearberry Cotoneaster is worth considering. With its range of benefits and its adaptability to a variety of growing conditions, this beautiful shrub is sure to add a touch of beauty and interest to your garden for years to come.

Another important aspect of Bearberry Cotoneaster is its ecological benefits. This shrub is a great habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. The small flowers provide an early source of nectar for pollinators, and the bright berries provide an important food source for birds in the winter. Additionally, the low-growing habit of Bearberry Cotoneaster provides shelter and hiding spots for small animals and insects.

In terms of design, Bearberry Cotoneaster is a great plant for adding texture and interest to your garden. Its small, glossy leaves and bright berries are a great accent, and its low-growing habit makes it a great filler plant for between larger shrubs or perennials. It also makes a great border or edging plant, as it will not take over and will stay within its designated space.

When planting Bearberry Cotoneaster, it is important to choose a location that provides adequate sunlight and good drainage. It is best to plant in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild, and to prepare the soil by digging in organic matter and adding a balanced fertilizer. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart, and water them in well after planting. To keep Bearberry Cotoneaster looking its best, it is important to keep the soil moist but not wet, and to mulch around the base of the plants to conserve moisture.

In conclusion, Bearberry Cotoneaster is a beautiful and versatile shrub that is a great addition to any garden. With its low-growing habit, attractive berries, and adaptability to a range of growing conditions, this shrub is a great choice for gardeners of all levels of experience. Whether you're looking to create a beautiful landscape or provide habitat for wildlife, Bearberry Cotoneaster is an excellent option.


Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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