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'
- 'Apple Blossom', 'Kowloon', 'White Swan'
- Tags:










- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apple Blossom'
- 'Kowloon'
- 'White Swan'
- 'Apple Blossom'
- '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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- Rough light gray trunk
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting