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Rhaphiolepis x delacourii is often confused with:
Rhaphiolepis indica Rhaphiolepis indica
Native alternative(s) for Rhaphiolepis x delacourii:
Clethra alnifolia Clethra alnifolia
Itea virginica Itea virginica
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Abelia x grandiflora Linnaea × grandiflora
Loropetalum chinense Loropetalum chinense
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis

Rhaphiolepis x delacourii

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
raf-ee-oh-LEP-iss del-a-COR-ee-i
Description

Indian Hawthorn is a bushy, small, rounded evergreen shrub with leathery leaves that is moderately dense and rounded and grows up to 6.5'. The spring flowers are showy and are followed by purple-black fruits.

It prefers full sun in well-drained soils and is very drought and salt tolerant.

This plant is a hybrid of R. indica and R. umbellata. This is the most frequent Rhaphiolepis encountered in landscapes, many cultivars attributed to the hybrid are cited in trade as R. indica, which is distinguished by more tree-like growth form and larger serrate, acuminate leaves. Fruits of R. indica and the hybrid are similar, about 1/2 the size of R. umbellata. The fruits are ornamental and persist through winter but are often hard to see in the foliage. The habit is more open than R. umbellata and is highly susceptible to deer browsing. It does well in USDA hardy zones 7b-10. It is utilized in coastal plains in mass planting, foundation planting, in planters, and in protected areas in other zones.

This plant is tolerant to salt and shade. It is moderately drought tolerant and resistant to Phytophthora root rot but has pest and disease problems such as leaf spot, aphids, nematodes, and scale.  Plant varieties resistant to Entomosporium leaf spot.

This is an excellent coastal plant for a hedge, in shrub borders or foundations. Plant in a protected area from strong winds. Several cultivars are available.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Growth is sympodial
  • Pink/rose/white flowers are in an open terminal panicle
  • Open evergreen shrub has leathery, reticulate leaves

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is often browsed by deer.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Coastal Garden - Tropical
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Corleyscourii', ‘Enchantress’, ‘Kruschenia’, ‘Wilcor’
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#salt tolerant#spring flowers#deer browsing plant#foundation planting#border planting#coastal plant#hedge#hs111
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Corleyscourii', ‘Enchantress’, ‘Kruschenia’, ‘Wilcor’
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#salt tolerant#spring flowers#deer browsing plant#foundation planting#border planting#coastal plant#hedge#hs111
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rhaphiolepis
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Asia
    Edibility:
    Fruit is edible when cooked
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 5 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Small blue or black berries
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are rose-pink to pink to pinkish-white, fragrant, less than an inch in size, 5-petaled, obovate, and clawed. There are 5 sepals, and 15-20 bright pink-red stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Obovate
    Obtuse
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Dentate
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, simple, coriaceous, variable, ovate to elliptic to obovate, obtuse to acute to subacuminate, rotund to broadly cuneate, margins dentate to crenate to serrately crenate to subentire, lustrous dark green above, reticulate and dull green beneath. They grow between 1-3" long. They are glossy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Twigs are stout, brown, streaked with grey, and pubescent at the tip. Pith is solid, green. Twigs have sympodial growth.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heavy Shade
    Salt