Parney Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus): Evergreen Shrub with Winter Berries

Parney cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lacteus) is an informal evergreen shrub attractive to wildlife and gardeners, especially in the Pacific Northwest. California gardeners may prefer native Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) for climate and wildlife suitability. Best known for cool-season berries but offers year-round appeal. Needs space to showcase beauty, but can be trained loosely against a wall, letting lax berried branches tumble downward.

Forms a large, loose mound of arching branches with dark green leaves. Undersides are soft, felted, silvery—shimmering in the slightest breeze. Late spring flat sprays of white flowers please bees. As flowers ripen to red berry clusters, birds favor your garden—robins find them especially tasty. Deer mostly leave it alone, occasionally tasting new spring shoots but rarely serious damage.

Caution: Cotoneaster may be invasive in your area. Check the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States before planting.

Botanical name: Cotoneaster lacteus (syn. Cotoneaster parneyi)
Common names: Parney cotoneaster, milk flower cotoneaster
Origin: China and northern India
Hardiness: -10°F (USDA zones 6–8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Average to low
Light requirement: Full sun to dappled shade
Mature size: 8–10 feet tall and wide

Benefits and tolerances:

• Deer resistant (usually)
• Flowers attract bees
• Berries attract birds
• Drought-tolerant once established
• Low maintenance
• Tolerates clay soils

Seasonal interest: Year-round
When to plant: Spring or fall

Distinguishing traits:

• Evergreen
• Dark green leaves with shimmery silver underside
• Sprays of white flowers in summer
• Clusters of red berries persisting through winter or until birds find them
• Great winter interest

How to Use It

This arching shrub is versatile:

• As a transitional shrub between formal garden and less cultivated areas beyond
• As a dense evergreen hedge, free-form or loosely trained as espalier
• As part of a mixed border, planted with golden conifers and colorful deciduous trees

Planting Notes

Plant in average, well-drained soil. No special fertilizers or care needed. Don't rush spring cleanup—after a hard winter, one of my shrubs died nearly to the ground but quickly regrew from the base.

More: Feed the Birds: 6 Plants for Abundant Winter Berries