Indian hawthorn is a heat-loving broadleaf evergreen shrub with flower power for the full sun garden.
Native to Southeast Asia,Indian hawthornis abroadleaf evergreen shrubthat offers soft pink flowers in spring.
Bluish-purple fruits follow,providing winter sustenance to birdsand small mammals.
Credit:Denny Schrock
It’s also drought tolerant once established.
Here’s what you oughta know to successfully grow Indian hawthorn in your garden.
Where to Plant Indian Hawthorn
Plant Indian hawthorn in a well-drained,full-sun location.
Credit: Gordon Beall
Space plants to allow them to grow to their mature size without aggressive pruning.
Proper spacing will improve air circulation around the plant, which is imperative to grow this shrub successfully.
Sunlight and airflow quickly dry moisture off the leaves.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Moisture on the leaves can lead to leaf spot disease, which can severely damage your plants.
The mature size of an Indian hawthorn shrub varies based on the selection.
An individual specimen will make a lovely focal point in the landscape or contribute nicely to amixed garden border.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
This will improve drainage away from the plant and mitigate the potential for root rot.
In warm climates that do not receive an annual frost, Indian hawthorn can beplanted in late autumnthrough spring.
Avoid planting in late spring to allow the plant to become established before the summer heat.
Most problems with Indian hawthorn are minimized by good site selection, proper planting, and correct watering.
Light
This shrub requires full sun to thrive.
Most garden soils are between 6.0 and 7.0.
Established plants are drought tolerant, but Indian hawthorn will perform best in soils that receive regular moisture.
Be careful when watering your plantsmoisture on the leaves can spread diseases that will quickly infect neighboring plants.
This is especially important for plants that do not receive full sun or good air circulation.
Winter winds can desiccate the plant, and it will not recover come spring.
Check the soil around your plants regularly and water as needed, usually no more than 1-2 times monthly.
Temperature and Humidity
Indian hawthorn will thrive in warm temperatures with low to moderate humidity.
In humid regions, ensure that your plant has good air circulation and full sunlight.
If you experience dieback, simply prune the damaged stems back to live growth in spring.
Fertilizer
This plant requires minimal fertilizer if grown in average to fertile garden soil.
Apply fertilizer once each spring.
Overapplication of fertilizer can cause excessive growth that is prone to disease.
Apply a slow-releasegranular fertilizerat the beginning of the spring growing season and then again in mid-summer.
Pruning
Indian hawthorn grows naturally as a rounded shrub and requires little pruning.
However, plants can be sheared to maintain a uniform and formal appearance.
Flower buds are formed on old wood.
Large mature specimens can be limbed up to expose the trunks, creating a small multi-stemmed tree.
Remove new growth from the stems to maintain this appearance.
Hard regenerative pruning should occur early in the growing season to allow the plant time to regrow before winter.
Ensure that your planter has adequate drainage holes.
Containers placed directly on the ground may not drain efficiently.
The leaf will also develop a reddish color.
In extreme cases, the plant will completely lose its leaves.
Fire blight may appear in late spring and spread quickly through new growth.
Treat fire blight by removing infected plant sections, improving air circulation, and avoiding overhead watering.
Contact your local county extension agent for advice regarding chemical treatments suitable for your location.
Alternatively, collect Indian hawthorn seeds in winter and remove the fleshy pulp.
Sow a fourth-inch deep into pots.
Store the pots in a cool greenhouse until germination occurs.
The pale pink flowers bloom in spring and often rebloom later.
The pink flowers bloom over a long period.
It is reportedly resistant to leaf spot disease.
Indian Hawthorn Companion Plants
Crape Myrtle
Crape myrtles(Lagerstroemiaspp.)
range from small shrubs to 20-foot-tall multi-stemmed trees.
The colors range from white to pink to fuchsia and even brick red.
Lantana
Lantana performs best in hot weather and is available in various colors.
Dusty Miller
The silver foliage ofdusty millerpops against the dark green leaves of Indian hawthorn.
Grow dusty miller as a warm season annual or as a perennial in Hardiness Zones 7-10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, deer will browse on Indian hawthorn.
Apply liquid or granular deer repellent if you experiencesignificant deer pressure in your garden.
Be aware that these products can be very pungent.
In time, the deer will learn that your garden is not a palatable buffet and eat elsewhere.
Indian hawthorn ishardy to Zone 8, and some selections may survive in Zone 7 with additional winter protection.
Mulch will help insulate the roots of the shrub.
Trim back any winter damage in spring.
