Rhaphiolepis umbellata (japonica)

Rhaphiolepis umbellata, also known as Yeddo Hawthorn, is a beautiful evergreen shrub with a slick and elegant appearance, perfectly suited for small spaces or for container growing on a sunny terrace. It produces clusters of small white flowers in early summer, sometimes tinged with pink, simple yet charming, pleasantly fragrant, followed by dark blue-black berries that persist throughout the winter. In areas that are not too cold or near the coast, it can be used to mark a corner or to create striking contrast in a pattern made of other small evergreen shrubs. 

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

It is a compact and spreading bush that will not exceed 1.20m (4ft) in height and 1.50m (5ft) in width. Its growth is slow. The evergreen foliage is composed of leathery, entire, and spatulate leaves, 5 to 8 cm long, with almost smooth edges. When they first emerge, they are covered with a layer of fine grey hairs, then take on a dark bronze-green colour, with a shiny finish. The young branches are reddish-brown. This harmony of colours makes Rhaphiolepis interesting throughout the year. It flowers from May to June, depending on the climate. At the end of each branch, a conical cluster, 5 to 10 cm long, bears several dozen of small star-shaped flowers, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, pleasantly fragrant. These flowers are usually white, sometimes tinged with light pink, and have a centre with purple stamens. The flowering is followed by the formation of small ovoid berries, less than 1 cm in size, initially red and then turning blue-black when ripe, which persist on the branches for a long time. Fresh seeds germinate very easily and quickly, within 8 days.

Rhaphiolepis umbellata is a dense shrub, with a very neat appearance, abundant flowering, and a delightful fragrance. If your climate and soil allow it, plant it in a flower bed or a small hedge, but it will also thrive 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 spray, heat, or dry summers once established and can even flower in partially shaded areas. It is useful in coastal gardens to accompany Olearias, Escallonias, and Atriplex for example. In a large flower bed, it can be combined with cistus, lavenders, Hebe, or spring-flowering shrubs such as Callistemons, Leptospermum, and Melaleuca. It also adapts well to container gardening and can be overwintered in a frost-free location.