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Ficus elastica Ficus elastica

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:
#evergreen
 
Shrub in bloom
Shrub in bloom CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
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
Form
Form CC BY 2.0 JC Raulston Arboretum
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
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apple Blossom'
  • 'Kowloon'
  • 'White Swan'
'Apple Blossom', 'Kowloon', 'White Swan'
Tags:
#evergreen
  • 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