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Shrubs

Rhaphiolepis indica

Indian hawthorn

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

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

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

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