Rhaphiolepis Rosiflora 'Hot Tips'

Hot Tips Indian Hawthorn

Botanical Name: Rhaphiolepis rosiflora 'Hot Tips'
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: East Asia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

A compact, glossy Indian hawthorn perfect for Adelaide and South Australian gardens. ‘Hot Tips’ flashes bronzy-red new growth (the “hot tips”) that matures to deep green, then puts on a mass of soft pink to white blossom from late winter into spring. Tough, coastal-capable and low-maintenance, it’s ideal for neat low hedges, borders and stylish pots.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.8–1.5 m H × 0.8–1.2 m W (naturally compact, mounding)
• Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Glossy deep green with fresh copper/bronze new growth; occasional winter burgundy tints; tight, tidy habit
• Flowers: Masses of soft pink to white clusters late winter–spring; lightly fragrant; occasional spot-blooming in autumn
  
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen backbone with bronzed flushes on new tips, a standout late-winter/spring flower show, and occasional blue-black berries persisting into cooler months
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and butterflies; berries can provide seasonal food for birds
• Tolerance: Drought-Tolerant, Coastal-Tolerant, Heat-Tolerant and Wind-Tolerant; Frost Hardy; Clay-Tolerant with good drainage
• Planting Density: Hedge: 0.5–0.7 m centres for a tight low hedge; Specimen: 0.8–1.2 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Generally regarded as non-toxic to pets

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun (best flowering) to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; avoid waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Light trim after spring flowering to keep compact; tip-prune new shoots to thicken; mulch in spring; feed with a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring
• Lifespan: 20-30 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral; tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is good

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low, formal hedge along front paths or driveways—bronze new growth and pink blossom for year-round street appeal
• Coastal courtyard or poolside border—handles salt and wind while staying neat and glossy
• Feature in containers at entries or patios; pair with Lomandra or Ophiopogon for contrasting texture

Why You Will Love It

‘Hot Tips’ gives you colour twice—bronzed new flushes and a spring cloud of soft pink-white flowers—on a plant that basically looks after itself. It thrives in Adelaide’s heat and coastal conditions, stays naturally compact, and keeps gardens looking polished with minimal pruning.