Tom Thumb Cottoneaster

Tom Thumb Cotoneaster is a dense semi-evergreen shrub with a low-spreading habit that slowly forms a carpeting mound of tiered horizontal branching.  The tiny glossy green willow-like leaves emerge light green and turn burnt maroon in fall.  Sparse light pink flowers bloom in early summer, which then give way to shiny red berries.  Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Drought tolerant once established.

May also be listed as C. apiculatus or C. horizontalis.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Susceptible to fireblight, leaf spots, and canker. Watch for aphids, cotoneaster webworm, mites, and lace bugs. 

LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Woodland Gardens, Naturalized Areas, Rock Gardens, Wildlife Gardens, Urban Gardens, Hedges, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Dogwood, Magnolia, Juniper

IMAGES: Salicyna, Cotoneaster adpressus Little Gem 2017-05-05 9299, CC BY-SA 4.0, (2) Salicyna, Cotoneaster adpressus Little Gem 2017-05-05 9300, CC BY-SA 4.0, (3) OSU Landscape Plants, Cotoneaster apiculatus 'Tom Thumb'

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.