Cotoneaster adpressus, commonly known as Creeping Cotoneaster, is a deciduous shrub native to the Himalayas to western China. It typically forms a low, dense mat up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) wide, with a height of only 10-30 cm (4-12 in). The plant features small, rounded, dark green leaves and produces a profusion of small, white flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by showy, bright scarlet berries that persist into winter, providing visual interest and food for birds.

Creeping Cotoneaster is valued for its use as an attractive ground cover, especially in rock gardens and on slopes for erosion control due to its mat-forming habit. It is also suitable for border fronts and cascading over walls. This plant is low-maintenance, tolerates a range of soil types, and is drought-resistant once established. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils. While it has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, gardeners should be cautious as it can become invasive in some regions, outcompeting native vegetation.CC BY-SA 4.0