485 reviews

Description

Coral Berry

Coral berry (Cotoneaster lacteus) hedge plants are one of the most rewarding and versatile choices for Irish gardens. Renowned for their spectacular display of long-lasting red berries and handsome evergreen foliage, coral berry hedging plants bring year-round structure and exceptional wildlife value to any boundary or screen planting. Here’s a summary of their key properties and how to care for them:

Moderate to Vigorous Growth Rate: Coral berry hedging plants are reliable, steady growers, typically adding 30–50 centimetres of height per year once established, making them a practical choice for creating a dense, attractive hedge in a few seasons.
Evergreen Foliage: Coral berry is fully evergreen, holding its dark, leathery leaves throughout the winter months. The foliage has a distinctive appearance — deep green on the upper surface with a soft, silvery-white underside — giving the plant a two-tone effect that makes it stand out from other hedging species.
Spectacular Berry Display: The hallmark of coral berry is its profusion of bright red berries, which ripen in autumn and persist well into winter and even spring. Few hedging plants can match coral berry for the sheer volume and longevity of its berry display, making it an outstanding choice for winter colour.
Creamy White Flowers: In early summer, coral berry produces clusters of small, creamy white flowers that are highly attractive to bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators. The flowers give way to the vivid red berries that follow later in the season.
Wildlife Value: Coral berry is an exceptional plant for supporting biodiversity. The berries are a vital food source for thrushes, blackbirds, fieldfares, and redwings throughout autumn and winter. The dense branching habit also provides excellent cover and nesting sites for small birds, making it a particularly beneficial choice for wildlife friendly gardens.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Benefits: Planting coral berry hedges encourages biodiversity and supports local ecosystems. Whether used as a garden boundary, a wildlife hedge, or a screening plant, coral berry provides shelter, food, and habitat for a wide range of birds, insects, and small animals.

How to Plant Coral Berry Hedge Plants

Coral berry hedging plants are best planted from pots, which can be planted at any time of year once the root system is well established. Pot-grown plants settle in quickly and reliably in Irish conditions.

For a dense, full hedge, plant coral berry plants approximately 50–60cms apart. For a looser, more informal screen or wildlife hedge, spacing of 75cms to 1 metre is also suitable.

Water newly planted coral berry hedge plants regularly, particularly during dry spells in the first growing season. Once established, coral berry is notably drought-tolerant.

Coral Berry Plant Profile

Feature	Detail
Common Name	Coral Berry
Botanical Name	Cotoneaster lacteus
Plant Type	Evergreen shrub / hedging plant
Mature Height	2–4 metres (easily managed with pruning)
Mature Spread	2–3 metres
Growth Rate	Moderate to vigorous (30–50cm per year)

Flowers	Creamy white, early summer (June–July)
Berries	Bright red, autumn through winter (October–March)
Foliage	Dark green above, silvery-white beneath; evergreen
Hardiness	Fully hardy in Ireland; tolerates temperatures to –15°C

Coral Berry Hedging Plants

Coral Berry Hedging Plants – Cotoneaster lacteus

Additional information

Delivery Information

Cullen's Returns & Refunds

Description

Coral Berry

How to Plant Coral Berry Hedge Plants

Coral Berry Plant Profile