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Plants that fill a similar niche:: Acalypha poiretii; Acalypha wilkesiana; Rotheca myricoides 'Ugandense'

Serissa japonica

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

Serissa foetida

Phonetic Spelling

ser-ISS-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh

Description

Snowrose is an evergreen or semi-evergreen deciduous shrub in the Coffee family. It is native to sub-tropical woodlands, streambanks and wet meadows in southeast Asia. It grows 2-4 feet tall and slightly wider with stiff branches covered in small glossy leaves and many white flowers.

This plant requires consistent moisture in fertile well-drained soils in partial sun to partial shade. The morning sun is best with protection from the afternoon sun. Use this plant in borders, foundations, containers or along pathways. It is also used extensively in bonsai and is valued for the gnarled trunk, glossy leaves and frequent flowering. It can be difficult to grow.

See this plant in the following landscapes:

Birdbath Nook

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Apple Blossom'
'Kowloon'
'White Swan'

'Apple Blossom', 'Kowloon', 'White Swan'

Tags:

Shrub in bloom — Shrub in bloom CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

JC Raulston Arboretum — Shrub in bloom CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

Flowers, buds, stems — Flowers, buds, stems KENPEI CC BY-SA 3.0

Form in a container — Form in a container Penn CC BY-SA 3.0

Leaves — Leaves CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

JC Raulston Arboretum — Leaves CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

Form — Form CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

JC Raulston Arboretum — Form CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum

Serissa foetida — Flower and Leaves Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

'Apple Blossom' form, Warren County, NC — 'Apple Blossom' form, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Apple Blossom' closeup leaves and flowers, Warren County, NC — 'Apple Blossom' closeup leaves and flowers, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Serissa japonica — 'Apple Blossom' Flower Close-up (Warren County, NC)-Early Fall Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Serissa japonica — 'Apple Blossom' Leaves Close-Up (Warren County,NC)-Mid Winter Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Serissa japonica — 'Apple Blossom' Leaves Close-Up (Warren County,NC)-Mid Winter Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Serissa japonica — Flower and Stem (Warren County,NC) Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Serissa japonica — Newly propagated plant (Warren County, NC) Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Apple Blossom'
'Kowloon'
'White Swan'

'Apple Blossom', 'Kowloon', 'White Swan'

Tags:

Attributes:
Genus:

Serissa

Species:

japonica

Dimensions:

Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.

Whole Plant Traits:
Plant Type:

Shrub

Habit/Form:

Dense

Rounded

Texture:

Medium

Cultural Conditions:
Light:

Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Soil Texture:

High Organic Matter

Soil pH:

Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Soil Drainage:

Good Drainage

Moist

NC Region:

Coastal

Piedmont

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a

Flowers:
Flower Color:

White

Flower Bloom Time:

Fall

Spring

Summer

Flower Shape:

Funnel

Star

Flower Size:

< 1 inch

Flower Description:

1/3 inch white star-shaped flowers with a tubular base and 4-6 spreading petals. Buds are pink. Blooms are either single or in clusters and appear in the leaf axils or branch ends. Blooms profusely spring to fall.

Leaves:
Leaf Color:

Green

Leaf Feel:

Leathery

Leaf Type:

Simple

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Shape:

Ovate

Hairs Present:

No

Leaf Length:

< 1 inch

Leaf Width:

< 1 inch

Leaf Description:

1/4-1/2 inch leathery, opposite, simple deep green leaves with yellow margins

Bark:
Bark Description:

Rough light gray trunk

Stem:
Stem Is Aromatic:

No

Landscape:
Landscape Location:

Container

Pond

Walkways

Landscape Theme:

Asian Garden

Design Feature:

Accent

Border

Foundation Planting