Rockspray cotoneaster is a shrub, but its horizontal growing habit invites usage as a ground cover of sorts. It doesn't stay nearly as short as another "horizontal" plant, Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii'. Nevertheless, cotoneaster can be useful when you wish to "cover ground" by employing a mixed planting, wherein heights are staggered. In fact, this practice can produce a much more interesting planting than one in which a single type of ground cover is planted throughout. If the idea appeals to you, remember to grow the cotoneaster in the back row, so that it doesn't shade the shorter ground covers.
While cotoneaster does flower in the spring, it isn't grown primarily for its flowers. But attractive berries succeed the flowers, and it is for these berries that cotoneaster is mainly grown.
