The Best Indian Hawthorn for a Tall Hedge

Indian hawthorn (Rapheolepsis spp.) Is one of the most flexible flowering shrubs growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. Lots of the varieties available in nurseries are dwarf varieties and will form short to medium height hedges, but not a tall hedge. Majestic Beauty (Rhaphiolepis x “Montic”) is the tallest Indian hawthorn commonly available and can be pruned to form a 10-foot-tall hedge.

Characteristics

Indian hawthorn is a part of the rose family indigenous to China. It is a slow- to moderate-growing evergreen, making it ideal for a hedge. The large glossy green leaves are resistant to leaf spot. Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn flowers finest and contains more dense growth in sunlight, but will grow in partial shade. It needs watering regularly until the hedge is established; based plants are somewhat drought resistant. Indian hawthorn can tolerate poor soil and salt spray.

Informal Hedge

Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn can be utilized as a casual or formal hedge. An everyday hedge is a row of closely planted shrubs which are permitted to develop into their natural shape. Because of its naturally dense, rounded growth habit, Indian Hawthorn makes an attractive informal hedge. Plants are spaced 6 feet apart for dense growth and pruned selectively as required to remove broken, dead or diseased branches or branches that stretch beyond the desirable boundary of this hedge.

Formal Hedge

For formal hedge, the Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn is pruned to a specific shape. The shrubs are planted 4 feet apart or closer and sheared twice or once annually, with all the hedge shape wider at the bottom than at the top. Pruning is best done after flowering to avoid cutting off all the flower buds, but while the new growth remains creamy and green. About half the newest growth is cut annually to retain the formal shape but enable the hedge to grow slightly larger.

Rejuvenation and Ongoing Care

Once the Majestic Beauty Indian hawthorn hedge has attained full size, ongoing to prune it to the exact same size won’t allow new growth. The adult leaves will become dull and ragged and there’ll be a dense tangle of twigs around the border with bare branches below. To rekindle the hedge, a number of those dense outer increase is cut back to a junction with a side branch and new growth will appear in the spaces opened to sunlight. Although the hedge may look patchy for a moment, the whole hedge can be renewed over a period of time without sacrificing privacy or traffic control.

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