Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl
Description:
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl', commonly known as Indian Hawthorn, is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its dense, glossy green foliage and abundant white flowers. This low-maintenance plant is ideal for hedging, borders, or as a specimen plant in garden beds and containers. Its rounded growth habit and year-round appeal make it a versatile choice for various landscape settings.
Flowers:
In spring, 'Oriental Pearl' produces clusters of fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers with prominent pink stamens. These blooms attract pollinators and add a delicate charm to the garden.
Foliage:
The plant features leathery, dark green leaves that are oval-shaped and glossy. The evergreen foliage provides a lush backdrop throughout the year, maintaining its vibrant color even in cooler months.
Fruit:
Following the flowering period, 'Oriental Pearl' may produce small, blue-black berries. These fruits are not particularly ornamental but can attract birds to the garden.
Form and Size:
'Oriental Pearl' maintains a compact, rounded form, typically reaching a height and width of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters. Its neat growth habit makes it suitable for formal and informal garden designs.
Growing Conditions:
This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-draining. It is drought-tolerant once established and can withstand coastal conditions, including salt spray and wind exposure.
Uses:
'Oriental Pearl' is versatile in landscaping, suitable for use as a low to medium hedge, border plant, or in mass plantings. Its compact size and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for container gardening, adding structure and greenery to patios and decks. It also serves well as a specimen plant in smaller garden spaces.
Maintenance:
This variety requires minimal maintenance. Its natural growth habit eliminates the need for regular pruning; however, light trimming after flowering can help maintain shape and encourage dense growth. Applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring can enhance foliage color and overall health.
Notes:
'Oriental Pearl' is a member of the Rhaphiolepis genus, native to East Asia. Its compact size, attractive foliage, and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking structure and year-round interest in their landscapes.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with contrasting foliage plants such as Loropetalum chinense 'Plum Gorgeous' or Heuchera varieties. It also complements flowering perennials like Salvia and Lavandula, enhancing the visual appeal of garden beds and borders.
Common Name: Oriental Pearl
Botanical Name: Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: East Asia
As we cannot guarantee stock all year around on Pots & Plants please hit us up via the chat button and we can get back to you with availability
Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
- For more information on Deliveries outside the Sunshine Coast please click here
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting