Spring is the perfect time to plant before it starts getting too hot, giving plants time to settle in before the real heat of summer arrives.

Rhaphiolepis indica (Indian Hawthorn) are great coastal plants which are drought hardy and salt resistant. There are lots of different Rhaphiolepis varieties on the Aussie market, but not all can handle the humidity. Many look good, but at the first sign of humidity, will suffer badly from fungal leaf spot and subsequent leaf drop.

Some of the tough, dependable, Aussie bred varieties include:

Rhaphiolepis indica Minikin

Rhaphiolepis indica Minikin is a dense, low growing evergreen and great as a small border instead of the traditional buxus, as it only reaches around 50cm height and width. The compact rounded habit remains neat and tidy without the need for pruning and is ideal for low maintenance, water wise gardens. The prolific white flowers in spring, attract bees and butterflies and contrast beautifully with its dark green glossy leaves.

Rhaphiolepis indica Oriental Pearl and Rhaphiolepis indica Oriental Pink

Both of these Australian-bred varieties are naturally rounded in shape without the need for pruning. Although flowering mostly during spring, these plants look sensational at all times of the year due to their thick, glossy foliage and naturally tidy habit. They are also perfect for tubs or pots.

Growing to a metre or more, they are perfect for borders and are available with white flowers (Oriental Pearl) or pink flowers (Oriental Pink) or alternate them both and enjoy their beauty whilst relaxing around the pool.

Rhaphiolepis indica Maximus

Rhaphiolepis indica Maximus is fast-growing and is ideally suited to taller applications where a height of a metre or more is required. This dense evergreen shrub is perfect for medium hedging. It has a chunkier look than Minikin and is a strong, fast-growing variety, it also has a naturally compact rounded habit, so is ideal for low maintenance gardens. With its beautiful white flowers in spring, it is the ideal choice for coastal gardens or around pools.

All of Paradise Rhaphiolepis indica are perfect for traditional clipped hedging, feature planting, mass planting and topiary and coastal water wise gardens.

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