{"product_id":"cranberry-cotoneaster","title":"Cranberry Cotoneaster","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Low, Spreading Shrub with Glossy Leaves and Bright Red Winter Berries\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus) is a tough, low, wide-spreading shrub that cascades beautifully over walls and banks. Glossy dark-green leaves set off small pink spring flowers, followed by bright red, cranberry-like berries that hang on into winter, and the foliage turns fiery red-orange in fall. Whether you're cascading it over a retaining wall in Edina, covering a dry slope in Burnsville, or edging a foundation in Woodbury — Cranberry Cotoneaster brings four-season interest to zone 4b–5a yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCotoneaster apiculatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster, Cranberryberry Cotoneaster\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2–3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–6 feet (low, spreading)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate — low, wide-spreading, mounding habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade. Best berries and fall color in full sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate. Drought-tolerant once established.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) — fully hardy here\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery adaptable — tolerates poor, dry, rocky Minnesota soils and clay-loam; dislikes wet feet.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous — small glossy dark-green leaves turning fiery red-orange in fall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -30°F. Tough and dependable in Minnesota.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerately deer-resistant.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall pink flowers in spring (bees visit), followed by bright red berries fall into winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWalls, slopes, and erosion control\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts low, spreading branches cascade gracefully over retaining walls and knit together on slopes, making it ideal for banks in Burnsville or Eden Prairie where mowing is difficult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFour-season interest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlossy summer foliage, fiery fall color, and bright red berries that persist into winter give it a long season of interest as a low foundation or border plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGroundcover for tough sites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrought-tolerant and adaptable, it covers dry, poor, rocky ground where many plants struggle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Cranberry Cotoneaster in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFall (late August–early October) is the ideal planting window. Soil is still warm for root development, cool air reduces transplant stress, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before ground freeze (typically mid-November in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May, after the ground thaws) is the second-best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish before its first winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid summer planting (June–August) when possible. Never plant after mid-October or before late April — frozen ground or frost-heaving kills new roots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Cranberry Cotoneaster\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a sunny, well-drained spot — it dislikes soggy soil but tolerates dry, poor ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBackfill with native soil mixed with some compost; firm gently and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpace 3–4 feet apart for a slope cover or low mass; it spreads wide.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuild a water basin the first season; flatten it before winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark, kept off the stems. Minimal pruning needed; shape lightly after flowering if desired.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Cranberry Cotoneaster in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 4–5 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 7 days or less; it tolerates dry conditions well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities metro).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEstablished cotoneaster is drought-tolerant and needs water only during extended dry spells — a low-maintenance choice for tough, low-water sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf used, place emitters 12–18 inches from the crown; it needs less water than most shrubs. Always winterize the system — blow out the lines before freeze and shut timers off by early October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the berries edible?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bright red berries are ornamental, not for eating — they're enjoyed by birds and provide winter color, not human food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it cascade over a wall?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — its low, spreading branches drape gracefully over retaining walls and slopes, one of its best uses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's hardy to about zone 4 and the red berries actually add color to the winter landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need full sun?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun gives the most berries and best fall color, though it tolerates part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKodiak Orange Diervilla — a tough, colorful shrub for slopes and tough sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGold Cluster Forsythia — a compact, bud-hardy spring bloomer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShop the full Three Timbers Minnesota catalog — zone 4-hardy plants hand-selected for Twin Cities yards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Cranberry Cotoneasters Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor slope cover or a low mass planting, space plants 3–4 feet apart (its own recommended spacing) so the spreading branches knit together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArea to Cover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed (3.5 ft spacing)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10-foot run\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-foot run\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30-foot run\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40-foot run\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11–12 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a slope, stagger two offset rows for faster, denser coverage. Draping over a wall, one plant per 4 feet of wall edge is plenty — each spreads 3–6 feet wide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small glossy leaves emerge, followed by a sprinkle of small pink flowers that bees work steadily in late spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A dense, glossy dark-green mound of herringbone branches — tidy with zero deadheading, shrugging off heat and dry spells.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the best low-shrub fall shows: foliage turns fiery red-orange while bright red, cranberry-like berries ripen along the stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Berries persist into winter on the bare herringbone branchwork, feeding birds and adding color above the snow line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/kodiak-orange-diervilla\"\u003eKodiak Orange Diervilla\u003c\/a\u003e — its own suggested partner: another tough slope shrub whose orange fall color doubles down on the show.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gold-cluster-forsythia\"\u003eGold Cluster Forsythia\u003c\/a\u003e — compact, bud-hardy early gold to start the season before the cotoneaster's berries end it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hedge-cotoneaster\"\u003eHedge Cotoneaster\u003c\/a\u003e — the upright cousin: use it as the formal hedge behind a cascading cranberry cotoneaster foreground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/gray-dogwood\"\u003eGray Dogwood\u003c\/a\u003e — a native berry producer for the back of the same tough, dry bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Cranberry Cotoneaster Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCranberry Cotoneaster thrives in full sun to light shade on well-drained — even poor, rocky — soil, which makes it the answer for sunny slopes, wall tops, and hell-strip edges where watering is a chore. Give it room to spread 3–6 feet wide. It's not a fit for soggy, low-lying ground (it hates wet feet), and its deer resistance is only moderate, so protect young plants where browsing pressure is heavy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54312783348017,"sku":null,"price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/cranberry-cotoneaster.jpg?v=1779567572","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/cranberry-cotoneaster","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}