Rhaphiolepis indica

RHS Plant Profile

Indian hawthorn

Shrubs

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A bushy, evergreen, spreading shrub to 1.5m tall, with deeply toothed, lance-shaped, leathery, glossy dark green leaves. In spring or early summer it produces lightly scented, white flowers, held in short upright spikes. In mild areas grow at the base of a warm sunny wall, elsewhere it is best in a cool greenhouse

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Rhaphiolepis are evergreen shrubs or small trees, with leathery, dark green leaves and terminal panicles of white or pink-tinged flowers in early summer, followed by black fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Outdoors, grow in moist but well-drained, moderately fertile soil in full sun, with the shelter of a warm wall. Protect from cold, drying winds. Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light. In the growing season, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Conservatory and greenhouse
Wall side borders

Pruning

See pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free