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India Hawthorn Wikimedia Commons
Rosaceae

India Hawthorn

Rhaphiolepis indica

Steadfast beauty through all seasons.

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Rhaphiolepis
Native to
southern China, Vietnam
Bloom season
Spring
Type
evergreen shrub
Height
90–180 cm
Sunlight
full sun to part shade
Soil
well-drained, slightly acidic
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
7–10
Lifespan
perennial; long-lived shrub

Did you know

  • Despite the name, it is native to China, not India — the name comes from early botanical confusion.
  • The leathery, dark green leaves are evergreen, making it one of the most popular foundation plants in the South.
  • Dark blue-black berries follow the flowers and persist into winter, providing food for birds.
  • It tolerates salt spray well and is widely used in coastal landscapes from Florida to California.
  • The genus name Rhaphiolepis means 'needle scale,' referring to the pointed bracts on the flower clusters.

Color meanings

Pink

enduring charm

White

lasting grace

Uses

  • foundation planting
  • low hedges
  • coastal landscapes
  • mass planting
  • containers