Rhaphiolepis Indica 'Oriental Pearl'

Oriental Pearl Indian Hawthorn

Botanical Name: Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Oriental Pearl’
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: Eastern Asia
Plant Type: Compact evergreen shrub

Overview

A hardy, evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and masses of fragrant white flowers, Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Oriental Pearl’ is a proven performer for Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate. It’s ideal for low hedges, feature borders, courtyards, and coastal gardens, offering year-round structure and seasonal floral displays. This tough, waterwise variety tolerates heat, wind, and salt exposure, making it a perfect choice for both urban and seaside landscapes in South Australia.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.8–1.0 m H × 1.0–1.2 m W — naturally compact, rounded form
• Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Dense, dark glossy green leaves with bronze-red new growth and occasional purple-bronze tints in winter; evergreen and leathery
• Flowers: Clusters of fragrant white blooms with pale pink buds from late winter through spring; flowers followed by small decorative blue-black berries
  
• Seasonal Interest: Glossy foliage, coloured new growth, and prolific late winter–spring flowering
• Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds (berries and nectar)
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (front-line); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 1–2 plants per m² for mass planting or 0.6–1 m apart for hedging
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade — best flowering and compact growth in full sun; performs well in bright part shade
• Soil: Free-draining sandy, loamy, or clay loam soils; tolerates slightly saline or alkaline conditions; 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: Low-maintenance — light prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth; apply slow-release fertiliser in spring; mulch to conserve moisture
• Lifespan: 15–20+ years with minimal care
• Climate Zones: Mediterranean and temperate — thrives in Adelaide, Fleurieu Peninsula, Barossa, and coastal SA
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acid)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Low Hedges & Borders: Ideal for defining garden beds, paths, or driveways in coastal and suburban landscapes
• Courtyard & Alfresco Gardens: Compact, fragrant, and easy-care shrub for sunny courtyards or feature pots
• Container Planting: Works beautifully in large tubs near entryways for year-round greenery and spring perfume
• Commercial Landscapes: Excellent low-maintenance choice for verges, medians, and structured plantings
• Mixed Shrub Borders: Pair with Lavender, Plumbago, or Grevillea for layered texture and seasonal colour
• Coastal & Mediterranean Gardens: Tolerates salt and wind; perfect alongside Westringia, Dianella, and Lomandra

Why You Will Love It

‘Oriental Pearl’ brings refined evergreen structure and perfume to any South Australian garden — tough enough for heat, coastal winds, and dry summers, yet elegant with its shiny leaves and clouds of white blooms. Perfect for low hedges, courtyard accents, or mass plantings, it’s a timeless, low-fuss shrub that performs beautifully across Adelaide’s changing seasons.