Cranberry cotoneaster
Cotoneaster apiculatus
Cranberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–36 in tall and 36–72 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Tough low-spreading shrub-groundcover. Red berries + brilliant red fall color. Great for slopes.
On the CSU listlow to medium water12–36 in tall and 36–72 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Cotoneaster apiculatus
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 12–36 in tall and 36–72 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~50–72 in apart
- Growth habit
- Spreading
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Lawn alternative
- No-mow lawn alternative
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–7
- Fall color
- Red
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- pink
- Bloom time
- late spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Cranberry cotoneaster as a groundcover
Cranberry cotoneaster spreads steadily. It fills in densely, crowding out most weeds. On a slope it helps knit the soil together and control erosion.
Common problems on the Front Range
- Fireblight
- Oystershell scale
- Pear sawfly (pearslug)
These are general tendencies for this group of plants on the Front Range, not a diagnosis. Many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or your local CSU Extension office.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Cranberry cotoneaster is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Cranberry cotoneaster?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Cranberry cotoneaster get?
- It matures to about 12–36 in tall and 36–72 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Cranberry cotoneaster?
- Space Cranberry cotoneaster about 50 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 72 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster hardy on the Front Range?
- Cranberry cotoneaster is hardy in USDA 4–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Cranberry cotoneaster need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- What color does Cranberry cotoneaster turn in fall?
- Cranberry cotoneaster turns red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster deer-resistant?
- Cranberry cotoneaster is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster a good firewise plant near the house?
- Cranberry cotoneaster is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Cranberry cotoneaster can be affected by fireblight and other issues common to this group on the Front Range. These are general tendencies, not a diagnosis, many are stress-driven and preventable with good siting and watering. For a specific plant or an active problem, consult a certified arborist or CSU Extension.
- Can you walk on Cranberry cotoneaster?
- Cranberry cotoneaster isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Can Cranberry cotoneaster replace a lawn?
- Yes, Cranberry cotoneaster works as a no-mow lawn alternative on the Front Range. Expect a season or two of weeding and watering while it fills in before it reads as a lawn replacement.
- Will Cranberry cotoneaster spread or stay put?
- Cranberry cotoneaster is spreading. Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Cranberry cotoneaster stay green in winter?
- Cranberry cotoneaster keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
- Is Cranberry cotoneaster good for a slope?
- Yes. Cranberry cotoneaster helps hold soil on Front Range slopes and control erosion once its roots knit in.
