Bearberry Cotoneaster Evergreen Groundcover for Slopes & Erosion Control

Bearberry Cotoneaster

1 Gallon

$15.90

1/3

Bearberry Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster dammeri 'Lowfast'

A tough, fast-spreading evergreen groundcover for slopes, with spring flowers and winter berries.

$15.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Bearberry Cotoneaster is an outstanding, fast-spreading evergreen groundcover that forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat of glossy green foliage. Its small, rounded leaves are tightly packed along trailing stems that root as they spread, making it excellent for erosion control on slopes. In spring, it is covered with tiny, dainty white flowers, followed by a profusion of bright red berries that persist through fall and winter, providing vital food for birds. Exceptionally tough, drought-tolerant, and low-maintenance, it is a versatile solution for sunny banks, sprawling over walls, or filling large, difficult areas.

Excellent Evergreen Groundcover: Forms a very dense, low, and fast-spreading mat (1-2 ft tall, 8-12 ft wide) that effectively suppresses weeds and stabilizes soil.
Four-Season Interest: Features glossy, dark green foliage year-round, a blanket of white flowers in spring, and persistent bright red berries in fall and winter.
Superb for Erosion Control: Its trailing, rooting stems quickly knit together to hold soil on slopes, banks, or terraces.
Extremely Tough & Adaptable: Thrives in poor, rocky, or sandy soils, is highly drought-tolerant once established, and tolerates coastal conditions.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers attract bees, and the winter berries are a crucial food source for birds when other food is scarce.
Low Maintenance: Requires virtually no pruning except to contain its spread. It thrives on neglect.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Small, oval, leathery, dark green leaves that are densely arranged along the stems, creating a thick mat of foliage.Flowers: Tiny, white, five-petaled flowers appear in abundance in late spring, attracting bees.Fruit: Produces a spectacular display of bright red berries in fall that persist into winter, providing food for birds.Habit: A low-growing, prostrate, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with a vigorous, wide-spreading, ground-hugging habit.
Mature Height: 1-2 ft.
Mature Width: 8-12 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Excellent, fast-growing groundcover for slopes and banks.Provides multi-season interest with spring flowers and persistent fall/winter berries.Highly adaptable to poor soils, drought, and salt.Very low maintenance.Effective for erosion control
Landscape Uses:Erosion control on slopes and banks.Groundcover for large, sunny areas.Spiller over walls or in containers.Rock gardens

Q: How fast does it spread, and how do I control it?
A: It is a moderately fast spreader. To control its spread, you can prune the trailing edges with shears in late winter or use hardscape edging buried at least 6 inches deep. It's ideal for areas where you want it to fill in large spaces.

Q: Is it invasive?
A: While it is a vigorous groundcover, it is not typically listed as invasive in most areas like its relative, Cotoneaster franchetii. However, its ability to spread via rooting stems means it should be planted where it has room to grow and not near sensitive native habitats.