Lowbush Blueberry vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) - TreeTime.ca

Lowbush Blueberry vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Vaccinium angustifolium

Cotoneaster lucidus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Lowbush Blueberry
Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Lowbush Blueberry, commonly known as the Wild Lowbush Blueberry, is often wild-harvested and thrives in low pH acidic soil. This early low-bush blueberry produces white and pink bell-shaped flowers in the spring. Its fruit is smaller in size than high bush blueberry plants and is more flavourful with an intense blueberry taste-masking it perfect for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. If the starting pH of your soil is between 5.1 and 6.2 you can lower it by adding sulfur. We recommend against planting blueberries in soil with a starting pH greater than 6.2. Please do your own research before buying any blueberry plants.

The Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) is a dense, deciduous shrub that gets its name from the glossy dark green leaves that turn an eye-catching mix of red and purple in the fall.
It produces small, pink flowers in spring and by late summer they are followed by red berries that ripen to black. This plant is great for attracting wildlife as it is loved by both birds and butterflies.

While the Shiny Cotoneaster does produce berries, they are inedible to humans. This plant takes pruning and shearing well, making it easy to shape to your liking and is a great choice for a hedge or privacy screen in your yard.

Lowbush Blueberry Quick Facts

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: may cause stomach upset
Foliage: shiny
Fall colour: mix of yellow scarlet, red, purple
Flowers: white, pink tinged, bell shaped
Flowers: small, pale pink
Berries: edible blue
Harvest: July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: late lowbush blueberry, late sweet blueberry, wild lowbush blueberry
Other Names: hedge cotoneaster, shiny leaf cotoneaster