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RHAPHIOLEPIS umbellata

Image of Rhaphiolepis umbellata

James H. Schutte

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

RHAPHIOLEPIS umbellata

Plant Common Name

Yeddo Hawthorn

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

The attractive Yeddo hawthorn is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a rounded habit native to Japan and Korea. It has good cold hardiness and offers an abundance of white or pink blooms, depending on variety, from late winter to spring.

All year round it has glossy, leathery leaves that are oval to oblong and have lightly toothed edges. New foliage is often red or bronze when it emerges and ages to a rich dark green. The young branches are often covered with brown fuzz. Its fragrant flowers appear from late winter to spring. They are produced in dense clusters at the ends of the branches. Each small bloom is star-shaped. These give way to small rounded or pear-shaped fruits that turn blue-black when ripe.

Yeddo hawthorn is tough and easy to grow. Though drought tolerant, it does its best in rich, well-drained soil with an acidic pH. Full to partial sun is needed for good growth but light shade is tolerated, particularly in very hot climates.

This is a common plant for hedges because it takes well to pruning and is attractive all season. Lovely when pruned as a small tree, use it in containers as a patio or pool deck specimen. It withstands salt, so it's ideal for coastal communities, and its resistance to harsh urban conditions makes it especially useful in urban parks and gardens.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 4

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    4'-12' / 1.2m - 3.7m

  • Width

    4'-12' / 1.2m - 3.7m

  • Bloom Time

    Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter

  • Native To

    Japan, Korea

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink

  • Fruit Color

    Dark Blue, Black

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Light Green, Dark Green, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Red, Dark Green, Bronze

  • Bark Color

    Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Foundation, Hedges, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No