Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb'
Tom Thumb Creeping Cotoneaster
The Tom Thumb Creeping Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb', is an interesting, very dwarf, very dense and compact groundcover-type shrub.It has a unique appeal because of its very shiny, small leaves that turn a brilliant red-crimson in the autumn. This Cotoneaster spreads by rooting where the branches touch the soil. Its branches are opposite along the stem so creates a herringbone effect or pattern.'Tom Thumb' is a true dwarf, not only in that it remains very close to the ground, but even the leaves are smaller than the species.This low-maintenance miniature woody shrub prefers drier soil and full to part sun. Cotoneasters are popular shrubs, grown both for their attractive habit and for the decorative fruit. They can be deciduous or evergreen, and have small dark green leaves, and flowers in late Spring to early Summer, followed by fruit (berries) in early Autumn
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Full sun to partial shade
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Very little water
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Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Rich and free draining
Common name
Tom Thumb Creeping Cotoneaster
Latin name
Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb'
type
Shrub
family
Rosaceae
ph
6.5 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun to partial shade
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Frost
Full Frost Hardy: 5F (-15°C)
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Soil
Rich and free draining
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Water
Very little water
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
1.50 M
1.50 M
Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb'
The Tom Thumb Creeping Cotoneaster, Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb', is an interesting, very dwarf, very dense and compact groundcover-type shrub.It has a unique appeal because of its very shiny, small leaves that turn a brilliant red-crimson in the autumn. This Cotoneaster spreads by rooting where the branches touch the soil. Its branches are opposite along the stem so creates a herringbone effect or pattern.'Tom Thumb' is a true dwarf, not only in that it remains very close to the ground, but even the leaves are smaller than the species.This low-maintenance miniature woody shrub prefers drier soil and full to part sun. Cotoneasters are popular shrubs, grown both for their attractive habit and for the decorative fruit. They can be deciduous or evergreen, and have small dark green leaves, and flowers in late Spring to early Summer, followed by fruit (berries) in early Autumn
Propogation by cuttings
From Early Summer TO Early Summer
Cotoneasters can be propagated with softwood cuttings taken in early summer. The use of a rooting hormone is highly recommended.
Propagation by layering
From Mid Autumn TO Late Autumn
Low growing species can be propagated by simple layering in the fautumn. Pin a low growing stem to the ground, using a piece of stiff wire bent into a U, leaving the last 6 to 12 inches of the stem exposed. Cover the pinned area with soil, then bend the tip sharply into a vertical position (for upright plants) and nick the bark on the underside of the bend. Provide a stake to hold it in place. Once the layer is well rooted, it can be severed from the parent and moved to another part of the garden.
Planting
From Early Autumn TO Late Autumn
Purchase a container-grown plant from a reputable nursery. The best time to plant cotoneasters is the autumn although they will also do well if planted in the spring. Pick a spot where you are certain you want to keep the plant as cotoneaster does not transplant easily. The best locations have full to partial sun and well-drained, alkaline soil. Avoid areas where the soil tends to experience saturation for extended periods. Plant ground cover plants 5 feet apart. Space larger plants about 4 to 6 feet apart.
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