Rhaphiolepis (Indian Hawthorn) Cultivar Reference Guide
A practical lookup reference for comparing popular Indian Hawthorn cultivars,
their mature size, flowers, landscape uses, and growing characteristics.
Quick Reference
- Snow Maiden is one of the smallest cultivars and works well for borders and containers.
- Oriental Pearl grows larger and is commonly used for medium screening hedges.
- Nearly all Rhaphiolepis cultivars prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate watering.
- Established plants are drought tolerant and suitable for many coastal gardens.
- Leaf spot is the most common disease when airflow or drainage is poor.
Rhaphiolepis Cultivar Comparison
| Cultivar |
Height |
Width |
Flower Color |
Growth |
Best Use |
Drought |
Containers |
| Snow Maiden | 60–90 cm | 60–90 cm | White | Moderate | Borders, edging | High | Excellent |
| Oriental Pearl | 1–1.5 m | 1–1.2 m | White to pale pink | Moderate | Medium hedge | High | Good |
| Spring Pearl | 1–1.5 m | 1.2 m | White | Moderate | Feature shrub | High | Good |
| Indian Princess | 1.5–2 m | 1.5–2 m | Pink | Moderate | Large hedge | High | Fair |
| Cosmic White | 1–1.5 m | 1.2 m | Pure white | Moderate | Landscape beds | High | Good |
| Clara | 1.5–2 m | 1.5 m | White | Moderate | Privacy hedge | High | Fair |
| Enchantress | 1.5–2 m | 1.5–2 m | Pink | Moderate | Specimen shrub | High | Fair |
| Majestic Beauty | 3–5 m | 3–5 m | White | Fast | Small tree | High | No |
| Georgia Petite | 60–90 cm | 90 cm | White | Slow | Low hedge | High | Excellent |
| Ballerina | 1–1.5 m | 1.2 m | Pink | Moderate | Garden feature | High | Good |
| Apple Blossom | 1.5–2 m | 1.5–2 m | Pink | Moderate | Flowering hedge | High | Fair |
| Eskimo | 1–1.5 m | 1.5 m | White | Moderate | Foundation planting | High | Good |
Plant Selection Guide
| If you want... |
Choose... |
| Smallest cultivar | Snow Maiden |
| Container growing | Snow Maiden |
| Medium privacy hedge | Oriental Pearl |
| Large flowering hedge | Indian Princess |
| Tree form | Majestic Beauty |
| Pure white flowers | Snow Maiden, Cosmic White |
| Pink flowers | Indian Princess, Apple Blossom, Ballerina |
Growing Requirements
| Requirement | Recommendation |
|---|
| Sunlight | Full sun to light shade |
| Soil | Well-drained soil |
| Preferred pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Water | Moderate until established |
| Pruning | Immediately after flowering |
| Fertilizer | Balanced slow-release in spring |
Common Problems Lookup
| Problem |
Likely Cause |
Recommended Action |
| Leaf spot |
Poor airflow or wet foliage |
Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering |
| Yellow leaves |
Poor drainage |
Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Poor flowering |
Too much shade |
Increase sunlight exposure |
| Sparse growth |
Lack of pruning |
Prune after flowering |
| Slow growth |
Nutrient deficiency |
Apply balanced spring fertilizer |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which cultivar stays the smallest? Snow Maiden.
- Which is best for screening? Oriental Pearl and Indian Princess.
- Which cultivar grows in pots? Snow Maiden performs best.
- Do all cultivars tolerate drought? Yes, once established.
- Which flowers are brightest white? Snow Maiden and Cosmic White.
- When should they be pruned? Immediately after flowering.