Hedge Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus) - Zone 2/3 - 20+ Seeds

Cold hardy shrub commonly planted for hedges and screens. Grows 6 to 10 feet tall with a dense upright habit that responds well to trimming. Leaves are glossy dark green through summer and turn bright red and orange in fall. Small pinkish white flowers appear in spring followed by black berries that persist into winter and are eaten by birds. Adaptable to many soil types and low maintenance once established, making it a reliable choice for shelterbelts, formal hedges, and ornamental borders.

While it's usually grown as a hedge, another interesting use for Cotoneaster is a dwarfing pear rootstock, a unusual but highly compatible combination popularized in Russia.

Hardiness: Zone 2 to 3
Seed Source: US
Cold Stratification: 3 months warm
followed by 3-4 months cold