Indian Hawthorn 'Blueberry Muffin' is a dense, evergreen shrub native to Japan that brings fragrant spring blooms and ornamental blue-black berries to zones 8-10. This broad-leaved beauty grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, featuring glossy dark green ovate leaves that emerge gray-green before maturing to a rich deep color. In spring, loose panicles of fragrant white to light pink flowers appear, followed by showy berries that birds find irresistible. Once established, it tolerates drought well while preferring regular moisture, and it thrives in full sun locations where flowering is most abundant, though it adapts to light shade.
Partial Sun
Moderate
8-10
72in H x 60in W
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High
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Fragrant spring flowers and ornamental blue-black berries create a two-season display in this dense evergreen shrub. The glossy dark green foliage emerges gray-green and matures to provide year-round structure in the landscape. Birds flock to the berries while the established plants shrug off drought with ease, once their roots are settled. Dense growth and moderate maintenance needs make it a natural choice for hedging in warmer climates.
Indian Hawthorn serves as an excellent hedging shrub in warmer regions, its dense growth habit creating natural screens and privacy barriers. Gardeners in zones 8-10 rely on it as an ornamental focal point that supports wildlife, particularly birds drawn to its berries during the growing season.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Prune after flowering if needed to maintain the desired shape and density. The shrub's naturally dense growth habit means pruning is typically light and optional rather than required for health or vigor.
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“Rhaphiolepis umbellata, also known as yeddo hawthorn, hails from Japan where it evolved as a resilient broad-leaved evergreen. The plant's genus name derives from the Greek words rhaphis, meaning needle, reflecting the botanical observation of its growth habit. This species has become a cornerstone shrub in temperate and subtropical gardens worldwide, valued for its ornamental qualities and bird-attracting properties.”