Wintergreen cotoneaster is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. It is drought-tolerant once established and tolerates a wide range of soils but prefers fertile well-drained moist soil in full sun. It will grow in part shade, but fruiting is better with more sun. In its natural habitat, it can be found on cliffs and rocky slopes, and quite often near the sea. The small white flowers give way to dark red/purple pomes in the fall, that persist through the winter into early spring. Birds are not attracted to the fruit. The flowers may be small, but they make quite an appearance, sometimes making it difficult to see the leaves. Use as a groundcover in problem areas and to provide winter interest. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Some consider it to be invasive, obliterating other native plants.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Prostrate; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Black; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
1/2 inch oval, black-green leaves have a few bristle like hairs on the upper side and long gray hairs on the undersides. It has a very pronounced mid-rib, a lighter green than the upper surface. The margins roll backwards. The upper surface is shiny. They are somewhat pointed and have a slight fold along the middle.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, spreading white flowers appear in the spring.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Pome
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are dark red-purple pome that persists into winter. They are larger than other Cotoneasters. The surface is a matte texture.
Bark color
Light Brown
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
The stems/branches form in an alternate pattern. They are ridged and covered with hairs that are close together.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Himalaya to China
Wildlife value
Cover for birds. Bees are attracted to the flowers.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Easy to Grow; Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Pome
Edibility
The fruits are poisonous when ingested.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio; Riparian; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen