Cranberry Cotoneaster
Best low-maintenance shrub for deer-resistant groundcover and seasonal garden color.
The Cranberry Cotoneaster is a superb, spreading shrub perfect for low hedges, groundcovers, or borders. Its branches create an attractive herringbone pattern, offering year-round visual interest. Small pink flowers appear in spring, followed by large, bright red berries that add vibrant color to the winter landscape. This deciduous shrub thrives in full sun to partial sun and prefers average, well-drained soils. It's adaptable and deer resistant, making it a practical choice for many gardens. Prune annually in winter for shaping.
$19.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1076
/ 2699
#1076 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-54%
Below average
Brand
Monrovia Growers
/ Monrovia Growers
Who it's for
- Landscapers looking for natural weed suppression on slopes
- Gardeners seeking vibrant color across all four seasons
- Busy homeowners needing a resilient, low-maintenance landscape plant
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in regions prone to bacterial fire blight outbreaks
- Minimalists wanting a plant that requires zero routine pruning
- Homeowners prioritizing pristine walkways without seasonal leaf cleanup
Performance breakdown
Year-round visual interest
Herringbone branches and winter berries provide constant seasonal appeal.
Landscape versatility
Functions equally well as a groundcover, hedge, or border plant.
Maintenance ease
Requires only simple annual pruning to maintain its structural shape.
Pest resistance
Natural deer resistance protects your garden investment from common wildlife.
Environmental adaptability
Thrives across varied soil types and light exposure conditions.
Growth habit
Spreading nature requires adequate space to reach full mature width.
Key Specs
Brand
Monrovia Growers
Foliage Type
Deciduous
Family Name
Rosaceae
Hardiness Zone
04
Mature Height
3 ft
Mature Width
6 ft
Water Needs
Moderate
Features
- Forms an interesting herringbone pattern
- Produces small pink flowers in spring
- Features large, bright red winter berries
- Deer resistant for landscape protection
- Adaptable to various soil conditions
- Suitable as a border, groundcover, or hedge
- Thrives in full sun to partial sun
- Requires moderate watering
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality and health of the Cranberry Cotoneaster upon arrival, noting Monrovia's superior packaging. The primary theme is reliability; this plant establishes quickly and thrives, offering excellent ground cover and hardiness across various climates. Gardeners appreciate the vibrant seasonal foliage and abundant red berries, confirming its strong aesthetic value as a low maintenance landscape feature that delivers on its promise of robust growth.
Know before you buy
Since the Cranberry Cotoneaster reaches a mature width of 6 feet, you should space them approximately 5 to 6 feet apart if you want them to eventually grow together into a solid, continuous mat.
While no plant is completely deer-proof, the Cranberry Cotoneaster is widely considered deer resistant. It is generally not a preferred food source for deer, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where browsing is a common issue.
No, the Cranberry Cotoneaster is a deciduous shrub. It will lose its leaves in the winter, but the branches maintain an attractive herringbone pattern and the bright red berries provide significant visual interest throughout the colder months.
You should prune annually in the winter while the plant is dormant. This is the best time to shape the shrub, remove any dead or crossing branches, and maintain the desired height and spread.
This plant is hardy down to Zone 4, meaning it is very cold-tolerant. As long as you provide it with full to partial sun and well-drained soil, it is highly adaptable to a wide range of garden environments.
This shrub requires moderate watering. Once established, it is fairly adaptable, but you should ensure the soil remains consistently moist but well-drained, especially during the first growing season or extended dry spells.
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$20