Cotoneaster adpressus 'Little Gem'

RHS Plant Profile

creeping cotoneaster 'Little Gem'

Synonyms

Cotoneaster apiculatus 'Tom Thumb'
Cotoneaster adpressus 'Tom Thumb'

Shrubs

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Low-growing, wide-spreading deciduous shrub about 30cm tall, with trailing stems and small dark green leaves to 1cm long, that turn scarlet in autumn. Small red-tinged white flowers in summer are followed by bright red fruits

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Cotoneaster can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, entire leaves and clusters of small white or pink flowers in spring and summer, followed by showy red, purple or black berries
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood cuttings) in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, woolly aphid, scale insects and cotoneaster webber caterpillar

Diseases

May be susceptible to fire blight and honey fungus