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. ‘Tom Thumb’ rarely produces flowers and fruit, but when it occurs, the blooms are small, pinkish-white. Then the very small, one-fourth”, red fruit follow in 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. It is a very charming plant and it is deer resistant.