Tom Thumb Cotoneaster. This is one of the most compact of the Cotoneasters that makes an excellent rock garden plant, since it is such a low grower, just oozing over the ground. Cotoneasters are common and thrive in more northern climes, but this is one selection that does exceptionally well here in the South. It has showy red berries and a good red fall color to its semi-evergreen foliage. Further north it may be completely deciduous. It should be planted in part to full sun in a well drained site. We have had little to no fire blight attack this plant, unlike many other cultivars which are extremely susceptible to this bacterial disease. Here we see it commonly on pears, apples and loquats and it is manifested with burnt, blackened, dying tips to its new growth.
Zones 4-8
