Ixora

Flowering tropical shrubs. Dramatic flowers and hot colours are great for providing flower colour in tropical gardens. However, Ixoras would also work also work in a traditional-style mixed shrub border.

Flower colours include whites, yellows, oranges, reds and pinks. There are a multitude of cultivars available which come and go from nurseries, although you're likely to find some of the most common landscaping types available.

A number of dwarf (to about one metre) ixoras are sold under the names "dwarf orange", "dwarf yellow", 'Compacta' (orange/red), Gold Compacta (yellow) , 'Coral Fire' 'Gold Fire'. Some of these may be different names for the same cultivar. These are relatively hardy and are increasingly seen in public and commercial landscapes where they don't get much care.

'Pink Malay' has bright pink flowers and is a larger and less compact variety. 'Prince of Orange' has an especially upright habit and bright orange flowers. 'Sheena' has apricot coloured flowers. 'Super King' has large red heads.

Ixoras will grow well in subtropical South East Queensland, although its common to see plants in poor condition in home gardens. Avoid the hottest and driest positions.

In general, ixoras are not fast growing which can be an advantage from a maintenance perspective. True miniature varieties could be tried if found for sale, but they seem to be fussier about conditions.

This genus was covered in the 05-03-2021 edition of Get Results Gardening. Lots of tropical and subtropical plants suitable for Australian residential landscapes are discussed in this weekly email publication. Find out how to get a free trial at calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html

Ixoras in the Landscape

The intention here is to build a gallery of commonly available varieties plus give you some ideas about how they might look in real-life garden situations. Click for larger images.

Ixora 'Prince Of Orange'. Until recently, the most common ixora variety in Australia. Notable for its tall, narrow growth habit.

Ixora 'Maui'. A small and compact variety popular with commercial landscapers that appears to be quite hardy, even in full sun. Plants sold in Australia as Coral Fire®, compacta orange and dwarf orange appear to be the same plant, better known in the USA as 'Maui'.

Ixora 'Maui Yellow'. Another popular landscaping variety, apparently as a mutation from 'Maui' because reversion to the orange is quite common. Plants sold in Australia as Gold Fire®, compacta gold or dwarf yellow seem to be the same thing.

Sold in Australia as Pink Malay. A medium-sized ixora with bright pink flowers that has become quite popular since its introduction a couple of decades ago.

'Frankie Hipp', sold in Australia as White Malay

These plants, with large heads of red flowers on large shrubs, are probably Ixora casei (synonyms I. duffii and I. williamsii). Plants are often sold as Ixora casei 'Super King', but it's not clear whether 'Super King' is a distinct variety or just a common name created to promote the species. Also widely sold as Ixora williamsii.

Related Topics:

Ixora species, hybrids and cultivars

Ixoras in the Landscape