The Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn, known botanically as Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Conda’, is a favored evergreen shrub for many home landscapes. This robust plant offers consistent visual appeal throughout the year, making it a popular and manageable choice for gardeners.
Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn Characteristics
Appearance and Size
The Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn is an evergreen shrub with dense, rounded growth. Its foliage emerges bright bronze, transitioning to a deep, glossy green. Leaves are large, oval, and leathery, sometimes developing a burgundy tint in cooler months. This shrub can reach 10 to 14 feet tall with an 8 to 10-foot spread, capable of forming a small tree.
Blooms and Berries
In spring, the Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn produces abundant clusters of showy, dark pink flowers, often emerging from hot pink buds. These blooms are lightly fragrant and measure up to three-quarters of an inch in diameter. Following spring flowering, dark purple to black pome fruits develop in fall. These berries persist on the plant, providing a food source for local birds.
Hardiness
This plant exhibits resilience to varying temperatures. The Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8a through 10b. It tolerates temperatures down to 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, thriving in warmer climates.
Planting Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn
Site Selection
Selecting an appropriate planting site is important for the health of Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn. The plant thrives in locations that receive full sun to partial shade, with morning sun beneficial for drying foliage. Well-drained soil is essential, as the shrub does not tolerate soggy conditions, which can lead to root issues. The plant is salt tolerant.
Planting Steps
Planting is best done in early spring or fall. Water the plant thoroughly in its container. Dig a hole two to three times wider than the root ball, but only as deep, ensuring the top sits slightly above the surrounding soil line (one to two inches). Gently loosen any circling roots before placing the plant.
Backfill with soil, lightly tamping to remove air pockets, then water deeply to settle the soil. Apply a layer of mulch after planting to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Ongoing Care for Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn
Watering
Established Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn plants exhibit drought tolerance. While young shrubs benefit from consistently moist soil, mature plants require moderate watering, primarily during prolonged dry spells. Apply water deeply at the base to encourage strong root development and prevent fungal diseases from overhead irrigation.
Light
The plant performs best in full sun for at least six hours daily, or in partial shade. Adequate morning sun helps quickly dry dew or moisture from foliage. This drying action maintains plant health and reduces foliar diseases.
Soil
Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn adapts to various soil types, provided they offer good drainage. Optimal growth occurs in well-draining soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Improving compacted or heavy soils with organic matter before planting enhances drainage and aeration, fostering a healthier root environment.
Fertilization
This shrub is not a heavy feeder, requiring minimal fertilization. A single application of an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer in late spring is sufficient to support healthy growth and flowering. When applying granular fertilizers, distribute pellets away from the plant’s stems to prevent burning, and water thoroughly afterward. Fertilize just before new growth emerges and stop a few weeks before the first frost.
Pruning
Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn maintains a naturally dense, rounded shape, requiring minimal pruning. Pruning is best performed after the plant finishes blooming in spring. This allows removal of dead, damaged, or errant branches to maintain a desirable form. While it can be shaped, excessive shearing may lead to an unnatural foliage appearance.
Common Pests and Diseases
Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn can encounter challenges, with deer being a notable concern. Deer are known to browse on Indian Hawthorn, particularly favoring new foliage and tender growth. Gardeners in areas with deer populations may consider protective measures or strategic planting locations to mitigate potential damage.
The most prevalent disease affecting Indian Hawthorn is Entomosporium leaf spot. This fungal disease manifests as small, circular, bright red spots on young leaves, which can expand and merge into larger blotches, sometimes leading to leaf drop.
The fungus spreads through splashing water from rain or irrigation, and thrives in cool, wet conditions. Proper air circulation and ensuring foliage dries quickly, especially with morning sun, can help reduce disease incidence. Removing fallen infected leaves also contributes to disease management.
Landscape Applications
The Rosalinda Indian Hawthorn offers diverse applications in garden design due to its attractive form and year-round interest. Its dense growth habit makes it an effective choice for hedges or privacy screens, providing consistent green foliage. It also serves well as a foundation planting, offering a structured element around buildings.
The plant’s size and showy blooms allow it to function as an accent or specimen plant, drawing attention in a mixed border or as a standalone feature. It can be mass-planted for a unified visual effect or incorporated into tropical-themed gardens. Its adaptable nature permits its cultivation in large containers, providing flexibility for patios or smaller spaces.