Tips for Growing Cotoneaster ‘Tom Thumb’

A mild-mannered cotoneaster

My first encounter withCotoneaster‘Tom Thumb ’ ( syn . C. ‘ Little Gem ’ , USDA Hardiness zone 5–7 ) was accidental . I was in a local glasshouse hunting down plants for a job . I could n’t find the varieties I wanted , when ‘ Tom Thumb ’ captivate my tending . I was intrigued by its shiny dense leaf and lilliputian size of it . I read it with me and used it in a rock garden . It supply the perfect backdrop for a mass of grizzly - gamey juniper ( Juniperus squamata‘Blue Star ’ , Zones 4–9 ) and chartreuse dwarf chamaecyparis ( Chamaecyparis pisifera‘Filifera Aurea Nana ’ , Zones 4–8 ) . Since then , I ’ve become this plant ’s biggest fan .

This tidy , vestal cotoneaster acquire low to the ground and is self - rooting , hold it a utile underplanting or ground cover . Unlike most cotoneasters , it does n’t gobble up space . rather , the competently named ‘ Tom Thumb ’ stay on compact at 8 to 12 inches marvellous with an eventual spread of 3 to 6 feet . It requires little or no pruning . It does n’t flower or yield , but its leave move around a brilliant red in the decline .

Since ‘ Tom Thumb ’ is a comparatively slow grower , it also combines well with perennials . Small - flowered plants with delicate foliage , such asCoreopsis verticillata‘Moonbeam ’ ( Zones 3–8 ) or dwarfGypsophila repens‘Rosea ’ ( zone 4–7 ) , stand out nicely against its dark , shiny leave-taking . greyness - leave behind plants like catmints ( Nepetaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) , lavenders ( Lavandulaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , and artemisia ( Artemisiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) also contrast well .

A native of westerly China , ‘ Tom Thumb ’ is think to be a relative ofCotoneaster horizontalis , though some expert are now saying it ’s more likely a relative ofC. adpressusorC. apiculatus . Whatever its parentage , this easy plant will always be welcome in my garden . ‘ Tom Thumb ’ boom in full sunlight to partial spectre , and no plague seem to inconvenience it . It ’s reported to prefer ironical soils ; however , my plant grow happily in heavy clay . This miniature deciduous shrub is a handy plant to have around , particularly if you ’re face for a modest green shrub that behaves itself .

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