Coral Beauty Cotoneaster Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Coral Beauty'
ABOUT
Coral Beauty is a decorative evergreen shrub that is widely admired for its dense and spreading growth habit. The plant has small, glossy, dark green leaves that remain on the branches year-round, providing a constant display of foliage. These leaves are tiny and rounded with a somewhat leathery texture, giving the shrub a refined and lush appearance. One of the most striking features of Coral Beauty is its abundant berry production. The berries are bright red or coral in color, which stand out vividly against the dark green leaves, creating a stunning contrast that is particularly eye-catching in the winter months when the rest of the landscape may be more barren. Before the berries appear, Coral Beauty produces a profusion of small, five-petaled flowers that are white or pale pink. These flowers are modest in size but are plentiful, covering the branches in late spring to early summer. They are not only visually pleasing but also attract bees and butterflies, adding movement and life to the garden. Coral Beauty's branches grow in an arching fashion, creating a mounded or slightly cascading form. This habit makes the shrub an excellent choice for ground cover or for planting on slopes or retaining walls where it can spill over attractively. Even without taking its dimensions into account, it's clear that Coral Beauty is well-suited to provide year-round interest in a garden setting due to its foliage, flowers, and vibrant berries.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Coral Beauty Cotoneaster, Coral Beauty Bearberry Cotoneaster.
Common names
Cotoneaster × suecicus 'Coral Beauty'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Coral Beauty cotoneaster is considered to have a low level of toxicity to humans. Ingesting parts of the plant, especially the berries, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While serious complications are rare, it's advisable for individuals, especially children, who have consumed berries or other parts of the plant to seek medical advice.
To pets
The Coral Beauty cotoneaster may also be toxic to pets, such as dogs and cats, if ingested. Symptoms of poisoning in pets may include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. As with humans, toxicity is generally low, but it is still best to prevent pets from eating this plant. If a pet does consume parts of the Coral Beauty cotoneaster and exhibits these symptoms, it is important to contact a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Dark green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: 'Coral Beauty' bears glossy green leaves and small, attractive pink or white flowers.
- Year-Round Interest: It provides visual interest across all seasons, with flowers in spring and red berries in autumn and winter.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal watering and can withstand dry conditions.
- Low Maintenance: This plant demands little care, making it ideal for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance landscape.
- Wildlife Attractant: The berries attract birds, and the flowers can attract bees and other pollinating insects.
- Ground Cover: Its dense habit makes it an excellent choice for ground cover, controlling erosion and competing with weeds.
- Adaptability: 'Coral Beauty' is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained.
- Frost Resistance: It is capable of surviving in cold temperatures, making it suitable for many climates.
- Hedge or Border: Its dense growth habit and ability to be pruned to shape make it suitable for use as a hedge or border plant.
- Urban Tolerant: This plant can thrive in urban settings, tolerating pollution and restricted soil conditions.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty' can be used as a low-maintenance ground cover in large garden designs, effectively suppressing weeds due to its dense foliage.
- The plant provides an excellent habitat for beneficial insects and birds, as its dense branches offer nesting sites and its berries a source of food in winter.
- This variety serves as a natural border or divider in gardens and parks, offering a way to define different areas while providing visual interest.
- 'Coral Beauty' can be used in bonsai culture, with its small leaves and berries, creating miniature landscapes for enthusiasts.
- The shrub can function as a noise barrier when planted densely alongside highways or busy streets, its thick growth helping to dampen sound.
- In artistic landscaping, this cotoneaster is valuable for creating contrasting textures among other plants due to its small, glossy leaves.
- The plant's berries can be used in decorative arrangements and wreaths for a pop of color, although they should be kept out of the reach of children and pets as they are toxic if ingested.
- Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty' can be trained against walls and fences as an espalier, showcasing its habit and colorful berries in limited spaces.
- This species is useful for stabilizing sloped banks or terraces, as its root system helps to prevent soil erosion while providing aesthetic value.
- Photographers and painters may use 'Coral Beauty' as a serene and picturesque subject, especially when laden with berries or covered with a sprinkling of snow.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Cotoneaster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Cotoneaster is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hardiness: The Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty', being a resilient and hardy plant, often symbolizes the ability to withstand difficult conditions and to thrive in various environments.
- Protection: With its dense foliage, this plant is often used in gardens to provide shelter for birds and other wildlife, making it a symbol of safeguarding and nurturing.
- Abundance: This plant produces a plentiful supply of beautiful berries, representing abundance and the generosity of nature.
- Resilience: As the Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty' can easily adapt to different soil types and weather conditions, it stands as a symbol of adaptability and resilience in the face of change.
WaterThe 'Coral Beauty' Cotoneaster should be watered thoroughly, allowing the soil to become dry to the touch between waterings. During the active growing season in spring and summer, it may need more frequent watering, such as once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions. About 1-2 gallons every week or two should suffice for an established plant in moderate climates. However, watering should be reduced during the fall and further in winter, when the plant is not actively growing, to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Light'Coral Beauty' Cotoneaster thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight, but it can also tolerate some shade, especially in the hotter parts of the day. An ideal location would be one with morning sunlight and some afternoon protection from the intense sun.
Temperature'Coral Beauty' Cotoneaster is hardy and can withstand a range of temperature conditions. It can survive minimum temperatures down to around -20°F, making it suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. Its ideal growing temperature is between 60°F and 70°F. It may suffer damage or stunted growth if exposed to prolonged temperatures above 90°F.
PruningPruning the 'Coral Beauty' Cotoneaster is done to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage denser growth. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Prune sparingly, as heavy pruning can affect the plant negatively. Annually, check for any unruly branches or those crossing over others and trim them back to maintain a tidy appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilCoral Beauty Cotoneaster thrives best in well-draining soil with a mixture of loam, sand, and organic matter. The ideal soil pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.5, which will ensure optimal nutrient absorption and plant health.
RepottingCoral Beauty Cotoneaster generally has a slow growth rate and does not require frequent repotting. It should be repotted every three to five years to refresh the soil and provide additional space for root growth if grown in a container.
Humidity & MistingCoral Beauty Cotoneaster is tolerant of a wide range of humidity conditions and does well in the average outdoor humidity environment. It does not require any special humidity adjustments when planted in the landscape.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, occasional watering, and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun to partial shade.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleCotoneaster 'Coral Beauty', commonly known as Coral Beauty Cotoneaster, begins its life cycle as a seed, often resulting from cross-pollination facilitated by bees and other pollinators attracted to its small, pinkish-white flowers. Once the seed germinates, it develops into a seedling with a basic root system and cotyledons for initial nutrient absorption. As the plant matures, it enters a vegetative stage marked by robust growth of evergreen leaves and branching, which in turn supports photosynthesis and further development. Following vegetative growth, the plant reaches reproductive maturity, producing an abundance of flowers that after pollination develop into distinctive red pomes (berries), attracting birds that aid in seed dispersal. During its mature phase, Coral Beauty Cotoneaster continues to grow and may spread through layering, where branches in contact with the ground develop their own roots. The plant's life cycle can span several years, during which it may experience cycles of growth and dormancy, particularly in colder climates where it acts as a hardy semi-evergreen or deciduous shrub depending on winter severity.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Cotoneaster 'Coral Beauty', a type of cotoneaster, is often propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings. This process typically occurs in late summer to early fall. To propagate, healthy, non-flowering shoots from the current season's growth are selected. The cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches long (10 to 15 centimeters) and have several leaves. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone powder to enhance root development. Then, the cuttings are placed in a well-drained potting mix and kept in a humid environment under indirect sunlight until roots have formed, which can take several weeks. Care is taken to maintain consistent moisture during this rooting period, but the soil should not be waterlogged to prevent rot.
