Common Name: Indian-hawthorn
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Rosaceae
Native Range: Southern China
Zone: 8 to 10
Height: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Spread: 4.00 to 6.00 feet
Bloom Time: April to May
Bloom Description: White to pale pink
Sun: Full sun
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Suggested Use: Hedge
Flower: Showy, Fragrant
Leaf: Evergreen
Attracts: Birds
Fruit: Showy
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerate: Drought
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-10 where this shrub is easily grown in moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering and best resistance to leaf spot disease occur in locations with full sun. Tolerates light shade. Established plants tolerate some drought, but prefer regular moisture. Avoid wetting the leaves when watering this shrub because of its susceptibility to leaf spot. If needed, prune after flowering. This shrub is not winter hardy to the St. Louis climate.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rhaphiolepis indica, commonly known as India hawthorn, is a dense, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that typically grows to 4-6’ tall and as wide. It is native to slopes, wooded areas along streams and roadsides in southern China. It features serrate, oblong-lanceolate leaves (to 2-3" long). New leaves emerge with bronze tints but mature to deep green. Fragrant, white to light pink flowers (1/2" wide) bloom in spring in loose panicles to 2-3" tall. Flowers are followed by blue-black berries.
Genus name comes from the Greek words rhaphis meaning a needle and lepis meaning a scale for the very narrow persistent bracteoles on the inflorescence.
Specific epithet means of India.
Problems
Leaf spot can be troublesome. Watch for aphids, nematodes and scale. Susceptible to fireblight.
Uses
Hedge, foundations, shrub borders.