Indian Hawthorn

Raphiolepis indica

Indian Hawthorn is a small to medium shrub that is grown throughout Florida and the coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas. This evergreen shrub grows to a mature height of five feet tall by five feet wide.

Indian Hawthorn is great for foundation plantings and low hedges or borders. It does very well in commercial landscapes and urban plantings including highway medians and other hot, sunny exposed landscapes. Once established, Indian Hawthorn is moderately drought tolerant. It does well in shade or sun but growth will be more compact and faster when grown in full sun. Withstands some salt spray and can be used on the leeward side of coastal houses.

Indian Hawthorn flowers in the spring and summer with fragrant white blooms and sometimes a second, less pronounced flower display may be produced in the fall. Flowers are followed months later by small, purplish-black berries. The berries are called “pomes” and have similarity to apples or rose hips. Each berry contains one or two seeds and they are very attractive to birds.

The leaves are dark green, slightly rounded in shape and leathery in texture. During the fall and winter, some of the older leaves will turn a crimson red color before falling off the plant.

Ornamental Characteristics:

Native Origin:
Asia, specifically India and Southern China

Common Names:
Indian Hawthorn

Description:
Hardy Range: 8-11
Mature Height: 3-5’
Mature Spread: 3-5’
Growth Rate: moderate
Growth Habit: rounded

Ornamental Characteristics:
The oblong leaves are thick and leathery with slightly serrated edges. They are dark green on top and lighter on bottom and 3-4 in (8-10 cm) in length. Star shaped flowers are held at branch tips in loose clusters and are white or light pink, with five petals, and may be lightly fragrant. Flowers are followed by blue-black fruits with 1 or 2 seeds.

Environment:
Soil: well-drained; loamy; sand; clay
Salt: moderate
Exposure: full sun; partial shade