Also known as Hong Kong hawthorn, this dense evergreen shrub is native to south China to Indo-China and temperate eastern Asia including Japan, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. It is a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, that also includes cherry, lady’s mantle and almond. Plants grow up to 12′ tall and have a sympodial grown form. The purplish to grayish stems are hairy and bear leathery 1-3″ long leaves that are dark green above, dull green below, and are tinged with purple in winter. The leaves are lanceolate to obovate, to almost round, and have bluntly toothed margins and a pointed tip. In spring, terminal open 3″ wide panicles appear and consist of white or pink tinged flowers that are 1/2″ across, have 5 petals and are fragrant. Plants are tolerant of drought, salt, and shade but are pest and disease prone. They are effective as hedges and screens, and can be used in xeriscapes, seaside gardens, and containers. The genus name, Raphiolepis, comes from the Greek words rhaphis meaning needle, and lepis meaning scale and refers to the modified leaf structures of the panicles. The specific epithet, indica, is the Latininzed adjective referring to India and the East Indies, the natural habitat of the plant.
Type: Flowering evergreen tree
Outstanding Feature: Handsome foliage, flowers
Form: Rounded
Growth Rate: Rapid
Bloom: Open clusters of white to pink flowers in spring
Size: 3-12′ H x 3-6′ W
Light: Full sun but tolerates shade
Soil: Average, medium moist to dry, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 8-10
Care: Low maintenance
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to numerous pests and diseases (like other members of the rose family.)
Propagation: Seed, stem cutting
Outstanding Selections:
‘Clara’
‘Majestic Beauty’
‘Minor’
‘Pinkie’ (dwarf with bright pink flowers)
‘Snow White’ (dwaarf with white flowers)
Photo Credit:Wikimedia
Karen Meyers