Snowrose Serissa japonica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Buchozia japonica
- Serissa foetida
- Phonetic Spelling
- ser-ISS-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
-
Snowrose is an evergreen or semi-evergreen deciduous shrub in the Rubiaceae (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 its gnarled trunk, glossy leaves and frequent flowering. It can be difficult to grow as it prefers stable temperatures with little variation. It will grow in colder areas but will not be evergreen if temperatures drop below 40 degrees.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Red spider mites, scale, wooly aphis, and mildew are possible problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Bird-Friendly Spaces
- 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
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia
- Distribution:
- Southern China, Taiwan
- 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:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- 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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- 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:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- 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 dense leathery, opposite, simple deep green leaves with yellow margins
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Bark Description:
- Rough light gray trunk
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry green stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
