Rhaphiolepis umbellata f. ovata

Rhaphiolepis umbellata f. ovata, the Japanese Hawthorn, is a beautiful evergreen bush with a neat appearance and a permanent elegance. Its compact and spreading habit is perfectly suited for small spaces and for growing in large pots on a sunny terrace. In early summer, it produces paniculate clusters of small white flowers, sometimes tinged with pink, charming in their simplicity but pleasantly fragrant. These are followed by long-lasting black-blue berries in winter. In mild climates, it can be used to mark a corner or as a geometric accent in a pattern of small evergreen bushes. It is all a matter of imagination and taste for this delightful Rhaphiolepis, which is easy to grow in well-drained soil, without excessive limestone.

Rhaphiolepis umbellata is a bush from the Rosaceae family, native to warm and relatively dry regions of the Far East (Japan and Korea). Rhaphiolepis are perfectly adapted to our Mediterranean or oceanic climates.

The ovata form is a selection with a compact and spreading habit that will not exceed 1m (3ft 4in) in height and 1.20m (3ft 11in) to 1.30m (4ft 4in) in width. Its growth is slow. Its evergreen foliage is composed of tough, entire, and spatulate leaves, 5 to 8cm (2 to 3.1in) long, with almost smooth edges. When they first emerge, they are covered with a fine grey pubescence, then they turn a fairly dark green-bronze colour with a shiny finish. The young branches are reddish-brown. This harmony of colours is already a adornment for this interesting bush throughout the year. The flowering takes place from May to June, depending on the climate. At the tip of each branch, a conical cluster, 5 to 10cm (2 to 3.9in) long, bears several dozens of small star-shaped flowers, 1 to 2cm (0.4 to 0.8in) in diameter, pleasantly fragrant. These flowers are usually white, sometimes tinged with light pink, and have a purple stamen centre. The flowering is followed by the formation of small ovoid berries less than 1cm (0.4in) in size, which turn red and then blue-black when ripe, and persist on the branches for a long time. Fresh seeds germinate very easily and quickly, within 8 days.

Rhaphiolepis umbellata f. ovata is a dense, well-groomed, floriferous, and colourful bush that is absolutely delightful. If your climate and soil allow it, plant it in a border or as a small hedge, but also on a sheltered and sunny terrace. While it dislikes excessive limestone in the soil, freezing winds, and cold winters, it is not bothered by sea winds, heat, or dry summers once established and can even flower in partially shaded areas. It is useful in coastal gardens, as its flowering, like that of Olearias and Escallonias, brightens the grey foliage of Atriplex, Bupleurum fruticosum, or Correa alba rosea, for example. In a large border, it can be paired with Cistuses, lavenders, Hebes, or spring-flowering bushes such as lilacs (Syringa microphylla 'Superba'), Kolkwitzia amabilis, Leptospermum, or Melaleuca. It adapts well to container gardening and can be stored frost-free in winter.