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Little Leaf Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster Microphyllus

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Overview

The Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) is an evergreen shrub, valued for its dense, mat-forming growth, reaching 2-3 feet in height with a 6 feet spread. Its tiny, glossy, dark green leaves contrast with striking, red berries in fall and winter. Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-draining soil. Ideal for ground cover, rock gardens, and slopes, offering year-round interest.

Sun FullWater MediumZones 5–7Type Ground cover, Shrub

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — scientifically dubbed Cotoneaster microphyllus; its dense growth habit and graceful

Culture

Sun: Full
Water: Medium
USDA zones: 5–7

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Ground cover, Shrub
Family: Rosaceae

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Photos (62)

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — reaching 2-3 feet in height with a 6 feet spread; its dense growth habit and graceful

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — arching branches give it a cascading effect; or as a specimen in mixed shrub borders for year-round

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — The Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) is an evergreen shrub; hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — These deep green leaves may exhibit pleasing bronze to red hues in the fall, providing, image 43

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — Hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-draining soil

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — Ideal for ground cover, rock gardens, and slopes, offering year-round interest; hardy in USDA zones 5-8

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — Ideal for ground cover, rock gardens, and slopes, offering year-round interest

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — growing at a pace of 6 to 12 inches per annum; its dense growth habit and graceful

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — ground cover / shrub with white blooms

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — or as a specimen in mixed shrub borders for year-round interest

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — Its dense growth habit and graceful

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — white flowers in the garden; its dense growth habit and graceful

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — ground cover / shrub for full

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — particularly striking on slopes or over walls

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — particularly striking on slopes or over walls; hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it thrives in full sun to partial

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — It typically reaches a height of 1 to 3 feet with a spread of 3 to 6 feet; hardy in USDA zones 5-8, it

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — white flowers in the garden

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — as long as they offer adequate drainage; or as a specimen in mixed shrub borders for year-round interest

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — in mass planting for a refined texture; or as a specimen in mixed shrub borders for year-round interest

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — When designing with this plant

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — making it a preferred choice for landscape designs

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — The Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus) is an evergreen shrub

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — rounded leaves that measure approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch long

Little Leaf Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster Microphyllus) — It is adaptable to a range of soil types

Photographs by 11 contributors

Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Ewen Cameron, CC BY 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Jerzy Opioła, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dinkum, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Salicyna, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Lukas Zwirner, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Luk, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

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