Rhaphiolepis umbellata Minor - Yeddo hawthorn

Compact, elegant, and hardy, Rhaphiolepis umbellata 'Minor' is an evergreen bush perfect for structuring gardens in mild climates. Its rounded, dense habit, even without pruning, makes it ideal for small spaces, low hedges, and container growing. In spring, it is adorned with abundant fragrant white flowers, followed by small blue-black berries in autumn. Its tough, glossy, dark green foliage provides year-round appeal. Tolerant of salt spray, wind, and drought, this variety is particularly suited to coastal and urban gardens. A charming, low-maintenance bush that's easy to grow!

Rhaphiolepis umbellata 'Minor', also known as Dwarf Yeddo Hawthorn or Dwarf Japanese Hawthorn, belongs to the Rosaceae family. Native to East Asia, particularly Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, the species Rhaphiolepis umbellata grows naturally along coasts, dunes, and rocky slopes in these regions. The 'Minor' cultivar is a horticultural selection prized for its compact habit and enhanced hardiness. This bush has a rounded, dense form, reaching a mature height of 90 cm and a spread of 1 m on average. Its slow growth helps maintain its compact shape without frequent pruning. The alternate, single leaves are ovate, measuring about 2.5 cm long. They are leathery, with a glossy dark green upper surface and slightly wavy margins. Young shoots often display a coppery hue before turning green. The stems feature smooth, light brown bark, with young twigs typically being hairy before losing this characteristic with age. Rhaphiolepis umbellata 'Minor' flowers in spring, usually from May to June. The white flowers, arranged in dense terminal panicles, are sometimes tinged with pale pink and emit a delicate fragrance. Each flower, about 2 cm in diameter, has five petals and prominent stamens. After flowering, the bush produces spherical drupes, 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter, turning from green to blue-black when ripe in autumn. Though decorative, these fruits are not edible for humans but may attract certain bird species.

The bush is valued for its tolerance to salt spray, making it ideal for coastal gardens. Once established, it requires no summer watering and can withstand minimum temperatures of around -10/-12°C. Due to its modest size and compact habit, Rhaphiolepis umbellata 'Minor' is commonly used in low hedges, borders, or containers on terraces and balconies. It pairs well with other evergreen shrubs like the adorable dwarf version of Pittosporum tobira, Pittosporum tobira 'Nanum', Hebe 'Midnight Sky' with its dark foliage and purple flowers in summer, or the very compact and dense Lonicera nitida 'Maigrün', a shrubby honeysuckle.