James Burghardt
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
RHAPHIOLEPIS x delacourii 'Georgia Petite' PP9983
Plant Common Name
Hybrid Indian Hawthorn
General Description
The attractive Indian hawthorn ‘Georgia Petite’ is a low-growing, evergreen shrub with a dense, mounded habit. A hybrid with parents native to East Asia, it has good cold hardiness, is resistant to fungal leaf spot and offers an abundance of flowers from late winter to early spring.
All year round it has glossy, leathery leaves that are oval and have lightly toothed edges. New foliage is often red or bronze when it emerges and ages to a rich dark-green. The flowers are fragrant and appear in clusters at the ends of the branches. Each small pink fragrant bloom is star-shaped and fades to snowy white as it matures. The flowers give way to small rounded fruits that turn blue-black when ripe.
Like most Rhaphiolepis, ‘Georgia Petite’ is tough and easy to grow. Though drought tolerant, it prefers rich, well-drained soil on the acid side. Full to partial sun is best 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. 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
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Broadleaf Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
3'-4' / 0.9m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Pink
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Fruit Color
Dark Blue, Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Dark Green, Bronze
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Red, Dark Green, Bronze
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Bark Color
Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
