Rhaphiolepis
Indian Hawthorn
Synonyms: sometimes spelled Raphiolepis
Family: Rosaceae
Raphiolepis are tough but pretty shrubs. Flowers have something of the look of cherry or apple blossom, look in shades of pink or white. s such Rhaphiolepis compliments a traditional cottage or English-influenced style garden.
Most types available in Australia are cultivars or hybrids of R. indica or R. x delacourii.
Berry-producing cultivars are frowned on in Queensland these days, for fear of them being spread by birds and becoming weeds. Trim immediately after flowering to prevent berry formation, or select a sterile cultivar. Unfortunately, information about berry formation on new varieties is difficult to find.
The old R. indica variety can reach almost the size of a small tree with sufficient age, but can be readily controlled by pruning, either as a bushy shrub or a trunked tree. Some selections tend to be naturally compact.
For example, 'Apple Blossom' is a pink-flowered variety which has been around for quite a long time and grows ~1-1.5 metres. By comparison, Raphiolepis Cosmic Pink™ is a relatively new pink cultivar, which the distributors say is naturally compact up to 80cm in size.
Raphiolepis Cosmic White™ is larger (to ~2m) but is said to have larger flowers than usual.
'Springtime', 'Oriental Pearl', 'Spring Rapture', 'Little Bliss' are some other varieties you could investigate.
Rhaphiolepis in the Landscape
Examples of common, old-fashioned Rhaphiolepis, as seen in Brisbane. Flowering season is late August/September.
A pink-flowered cultivar, possibly 'Apple Blossom' (Brisbane, early September, 2016)
Rhaphiolepis 'Snow Maiden'
Unidentified variety
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