They prefer full sun and just about any well drained soil though preferring fertile and light, acidic or alkaline. Salt tolerant and moderately drought tolerant, they are tolerant of seashore conditions and are an excellent plant for such environments.
Mulch should be applied to the root zone since they do not like root disturbance and raking, hoeing, and digging over the shallow root zone will harm growth.
Deer do like to eat the foliage during winter, due to this it must be restricted to urban or fenced in yards in areas that deer are abundant. Netting may be a temporary solution for the deer. Leaf spot may also defoliate some species and cultivars by late summer.
Propagation is from semi-ripe cuttings taken during late summer, layering and seed.
* photos taken on May 8 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on Aug 15 2014 @ Rawlings Conservatory, Baltimore, MD
* photo taken on Oct 15 2017 in Elkridge, MD
Rhaphiolepis x delacourii ( Hybrid Indian Hawthorn )
The hybrids between Rhaphiolepis indica & R. umbellata.
Hardy zone 8 to 11
'Ballerina'
A moderate growing, dense, rounded compact form, reaching up to 3 x 6 feet in 5 years; eventually reaching a maximum size of 4 x 8 feet.
The glossy deep green foliage turns to reddish during winter.
The abundant, fragrant, deep pink flowers are borne late winter into early spring, sometimes repeating during autumn. It may even bloom most of the year in mild climates.
Hardy zones 7b to 10.
'Bonfire'
A fast growing, rounded form, reaching up to 5 x 5 feet.
The foliage is reddish-purple at first, turning to deep green, giving a Poinsettia effect all season long.
The flowers open pink and later fade to pinkish-white.
Hardy zones 7b to 10.
'Calisto'
A moderate growing, dense, dwarf form, reaching only 2 x 3 feet in 6 years, 3 x 4 feet in 10 years, eventually to 4 x 5 feet.
The attractive, twisted foliage is glossy deep green, turning to deep red during winter. The obovate leaves are up to 2.7 x 1.2 inches in size.
The showy deep pink flowers are borne during mid to late spring.
They are followed by purplish-black fruit.
Hardy zones 7 to 10. Highly leaf spot resistant.
* patent photos
'Eleanor Taber'
A vigorous but dwarf, rounded form, reaching up to 3 x 5.5 feet in 5 years; to 4 x 7 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 10 feet. It makes a great low hedge.
The large foliage is bright orangish-red at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The semi-double, bright pink flowers are borne during spring.
They are followed by bluish-black fruits that persist through the winter.
Hardy zones 7 to 10. Highly leaf spot resistant.
'Eskimo'
Moderate growing, compact and mounded in habit, reaching a maximum size of 6 x 8 feet.
The foliage is purplish at first, turning to glossy deep green above, bright green beneath.
The flowers are pink at first, later fading to white. They appear during mid-spring.
They are followed by bluish-black berries during summer, persisting into winter.
Hardy zones 7b + ( tolerating as low as -3 F ). It is highly leaf spot resistant.
'Georgia Charm'
Dense and rounded, reaching up to 4 x 5 feet. It is moderate growing, up to 10 inches per year.
The foliage is glossy deep green above, bright green beneath. The obovate leaves are up to 2 x 0.8 inches in size.
The white flowers persist up to 3 weeks during mid to late spring.
They are followed by bluish-black fruits, up to 0.3 inches wide, that persist into winter.
Hardy zones 7b to 10, it has excellent resistance to leaf spot disease, thus retaining healthy foliage throughout the summer.
'Georgia Petite'
Very compact, dense and rounded, reaching up to 2.5 x 3.3 feet. It is moderate growing, up to 10 inches per year This cultivar was produced at University of Georgia.
The foliage is glossy deep green above, bright green beneath. The obovate leaves are up to 2 x 0.8 inches in size.
The white ( light pink at first ) flowers persist up to 3 weeks during mid to late spring.
They are followed by deep blue fruits, up to 0.3 inches wide, that persist into winter.
Hardy zones 7b to 10, it has excellent resistance to leaf spot disease, thus retaining healthy foliage throughout the summer.
'Majestic Beauty'
A fast growing, upright strongly branching large shrub to small tree ( if trained as such ) reaching a maximum size of 25 x 16 feet. It is a bigeneric hybrid between Rhaphiolepis umbellata & Eriobotrya japonica.
The leathery, large leaves are up to 6 inches in length.
The foliage is bronze at first, turning to deep green. In cold climates the leaves turn red in fall and mostly fall. In mild regions, it is evergreen.
The masses of fragrant, soft pink flowers, are borne in huge clusters up to 10 inches across during spring, fall and winter.
Hardy zones 7b to 10. Drought tolerant and leaf spot resistant.
* photo taken on May 25 2023 in Columbia, MD
'Olivia'
Moderate growing, dense and mounded in habit, reaching up to 3 x 6 feet in 5 years; eventually up to 5 x 7 feet.
The large, leathery leaves are glossy deep green, turning to bronze during winter.
The fragrant, pure white flowers are borne during mid-spring.
They are followed by deep blue berries.
Hardy zones 7 +. It has superior leaf spot resistance.
'Pink Dancer'
Moderate growing, dense, compact and rounded, reaching up to 6 x 5 ( rarely over 4 x 4 ) feet.
The foliage is bronze-red at first, turning to glossy bright green. The foliage turns to deep red during winter.
The abundant, rosy-red flowers are borne on clusters during spring.
They are followed by small, deep blue berries.
Hardy zones 8 +. It has superior disease resistance.
'Pink Lady'
Moderate growing, dense, spreading, large shrub reaching up to 6 x 8 feet in size. It makes a great screen.
The leathery foliage is reddish-purple at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The abundant, fragrant, deep pink flowers are typically borne during the spring, though may appear most of the year in mild climates.
They are followed by bluish-black fruits.
Hardy zones 8 to 11.
'Rosalinda'
A fast growing and upright, large shrub or small tree, reaching up to 10 x 10 feet in 5 years, reaching an eventual maximum size of 16 x 23 feet.
The large leaves, up to 6 inches in length, are bright bronze-red at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The fragrant, large, deep pink flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne on large clusters during late spring into early summer.
It is sterile, therefore producing no fruit.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has superior disease resistance.
'Snowcap'
A moderate growing, very dense, compact, domed shrub, reaching up to 2.2 x 3.3 feet in 4 years, 2.7 x 5 feet in 6 years, eventually to 4 x 6 feet.
The leathery, deep green foliage turns to deep red during winter. The obovate leaves are up to 2.3 x 1 inches in size.
The flowers are pink in bud, opening to pale pink, later turning to white. The flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, are borne in panicles up to 3 x 3 inches in size.
They are later followed by bluish-black fruits, up to 0.3 inches wide.
Hardy zones 7 to 10. It is highly disease resistant.
* photo taken on June 19 2016 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on Oct 15 2018 in Elkridge, MD
* patent photo
Rhaphiolepis ferruginea
A small tree reaching up to 33 feet, that is native to southern China. It is the largest in the genus but is not known in cultivation in North America.
The leathery, elliptical leaves, up to 6 x 2.3 inches in size, are rusty downy beneath.
The white flowers, up to 0.4 inches in length, are borne mid to late spring.
The rounded, black fruits, up to 0.3 inches wide, ripen during mid-autumn.
Rhaphiolepis indica ( Indian Hawthorn )
A moderate growing, evergreen medium-sized shrub to rarely a small tree that is native to southern China.
Some records include: largest on record - 20 x 20 feet.
The tooth-edged, somewhat narrow, pointed leaves, are up to 4 x 1.5 inches in size.
The leathery foliage is pinkish-brown at first, turning to deep green above, olive-green beneath.
The white tinted with pink flowers, up to 0.5 inches wide, are borne on clusters at the branch tips, during spring.
Hardy zones 8 to 11. Considerable foliage damage occurs below 5 F. Clones from Chollipo, South Korea may even be hardy on exposed sites in zone 6a where they may recover quickly from winter damage during the spring.
* photos of unknown internet source
'Bridal Blush'
Moderate growing, compact, dense and domed in habit, reaching up to 2 x 5 feet in 5 years, eventually to an average size of 2 x 5 feet. It makes a great hedge
The leathery foliage is glossy deep green. The elliptical leaves are up to 2.2 x 1.6 inches in size.
The white to soft pink flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, appear in inflorescences up to 4 x 2 inches in size, during mid-spring and lasting up to 3 weeks.
They are followed by rounded, bluish-black fruits, up to 0.3 inches long.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( possibly 6b on protected sites ), it has excellent resistance fo leaf spot, typically maintaining clean foliage throughout the summer.
'Clara'
A compact, rounded form, reaching a maximum size of 5.5 x 5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet in size.
The foliage is coppery-red at first, turning to deep green.
The flowers are pink in bud, opening to white.
Hardy zones 8a to 10 ( tolerating as low as 5 F ).
'Fiesta'
Fast growing but compact, dense and domed in habit, reaching up to 1.2 x 2.5 feet in 2 years, eventually to 4 x 5 feet. Growth rates of 1 foot or more are common.
The very attractive foliage is coppery-red at first, turning to mid-green with a bold creamy-white margin. The elliptical leaves are up to 2.3 x 1.5 inches in size.
The pale pink ( mid-pink in bud ) flowers appear during early to mid spring.
Hardy zones 7 to 9
* patent photo
'Oriental Pearl'
Compact, dense and domed in habit, reaching up to 3.7 x 3 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4.5 x 7 feet.
The foliage is glossy deep green and retains its color though the winter. The oblanceolate leaves are up to 1.4 x 1 inches in size.
The abundant, pure white flowers appear in large pyramidal panicles, up to 3 inches wide, during late spring.
Hardy zones 8 to 10 ( tolerating as low as 5 F ), it has excellent resistance to Entomosporium leaf spot disease.
* patent photos
'Sea Breeze'
Also called 'Hines Darkleaf'. A moderate growing, dense, rounded shrub, reaching up to 2.5 x 6.5 feet in 5 years, eventually to 4 x 7 feet.
The attractive foliage is orange-bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green. The foliage then turns to deep purplish-red during winter. The obovate leaves are up to 3.5 x 1.5 inches in size.
The fragrant, pink flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, appear early to mid-spring then repeating sporadically during autumn.
They are followed by deep bluish-black berries.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, it has excellent disease resistance.
'Snowbank'
Dense, very compact and mounded, reaching up to 1.1 x 1.8 feet in 3 years, eventually to 3 x 4 feet.
The foliage is deep green. The toothed, elliptical leaves are up to 2.2 x 1.1 inches in size.
The white ( pale pink in bud ) flowers, up to 0.3 inches wide, appear in panicles, up to 3.7 x 4.4 inches in size, during spring.
Hardy zones 7 to 9, it is moderate resistance to leaf spot.
* patent photos
'Springtime'
A moderate growing, dense, rounded, medium-sized shrub, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage is bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green.
The abundant, fragrant, large, deep pink flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne in clusters.
They are followed by deep purple fruits.
Hardy zones 7 +. It is unfortunately prone to leafspot.
* photo taken on Aug 15 2014 @ Rawlings Conservatory, Baltimore, MD
'Tickled Pink'
Moderate growing, compact, dense and domed in habit, reaching up to 2 x 4 feet in 3 years, eventually to 3 x 4 feet.
The leathery foliage is glossy deep green. The elliptical leaves are up to 2.2 x 1.6 inches in size.
The deep pink flowers, up to 0.8 inches wide, appear in inflorescences up to 3.7 x 2 inches in size, during mid-spring and lasting up to 3 weeks.
They are followed by rounded, bluish-black fruits, up to 0.3 inches long.
Hardy zones 7 to 9 ( possibly 6b on protected sites ), it has excellent disease resistance, typically maintaining clean foliage throughout the summer.
Rhaphiolepis umbellata ( Yeddo Thorn )
A moderate growing, mounded, dense, bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree ( if trained ) that is native to coastal parts of southern Japan and also Korea.
Some records include: largest on record - 20 x 17 feet.
The smooth, recurved-margined, round-tipped, broadly-oval leaves, are up to 4 x 2 inches in size. The thick foliage is downy gray-green at first, turning to glossy grayish-green above, pale green beneath; then finally purplish during winter.
The very fragrant, small, white flowers, up to 0.7 inches wide, are borne on terminal clusters, up to 3 x 3 inches, during spring and summer, then often repeating in mild climates into the following winter.
They are followed during autumn by persistent, blue-black, pear-shaped berries, up to 0.5 inches across, which are often eaten by birds. The fruits often persist through the winter.
The smooth bark is deep brown.
Hardy zones 7b to 11, it is killed at -3 F though one clone 'Ovata' from Chollipo, South Korea may be much hardier. It thrives in full sun to partial shade. Very tolerant of drought and salt and will adapt to tough growing conditions. Protect from excessive winter wind in colder parts of its range.
* photos taken on Feb 8 2015 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DC
* photo taken on Aug 4 2021 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
'Bay Breeze'
A dwarf, mounded form, reaching up to 2 x 5 feet in 5 years; eventually 3 x 6 feet.
The foliage is bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green. The foliage turns back to bronze during winter.
The flowers are bright pink.
They are followed by purplish-black fruit.
Hardy zones 7a +; it is moderately leaf spot resistant.
'Blueberry Muffin'
A dense, domed shrub, reaching up to 6 x 5 feet in 15 years, eventually slightly wider.
The foliage is gray-green at first, turning to deep blue-green during the summer. The foliage turns to deep purple during winter.
The fragrant, white flowers are borne during mid-spring.
They are followed by deep blue fruits.
Hardy zones 7b +. It has superior disease resistance.
'Minor'
An upright but dwarf form, reaching up to 6 x 6 ( rarely over 4 ) feet, with smaller foliage that is bronze at first, turning to glossy deep green, then back to bronze during winter.
Hardier, north to zone 7a.
* photo taken on Apr 21 2017 in Elkridge, MD
* photos taken on Apr 13 2022 in Ellicott City, MD
* excellent video found on Youtube
'Southern Moon'
A compact, dense, mounding to rounded shrub, reaching up to 4.7 x 8.7 feet in 5 years, eventually 6 x 9 feet.
The attractive thick, glossy foliage is bright green, later turning to deep green. The obovate leaves are up to 2 x 1.2 inches in size.
The abundant, white flowers are borne during early to mid spring.
They are followed by grayish-purple fruits, up to 0.4 inches long, ripening during mid-autumn.
Hardy zones 7 +, it has excellent resistance to fire blight and entomosporium leaf spot and good resistance to Cercospora.
* patent photos
'Snow White'
Vigorous, dense and spreading in habit, reaching up to 6 x 6 feet.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The fragrant flowers are white.
Hardy zones 7 +, it was reported to have survived a night of 6 F in 2014 with only marginal leaf burn. It is highly resistant to leaf spot.
* photo taken on May 9 2017 in Elkridge, MD
Do you know of any Rhaphiolepis that are sterile and do not produce fruit?
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