Our Gainesville yards show an explosion of flowers on many ornamental plants in the spring. Many common landscape shrubs take part in this seasonal parade of blooms. The Indian Hawthorn has joined this seasonal explosion with their attractive flowers. This well-adapted shrub is the focus of today’s column. Information about this plant comes from the University of Florida Extension Office and Gainesville Landscape Designer, Rusty Thompson.
The flowers of Indian Hawthorn are white or pinkish, measure from ½ to 5/8 inch across, and are borne on loose terminal panicles in the spring. Flower of this plant also have the added attribute of being fragrant, much like the rose or Tea Olive Gainesville landscape plants.
Indian Hawthorn is commonly used as a foundation plant in our Gainesville Landscape, but has gained favor as a massed planting’s as a groundcover. Locally they have been used to replace island areas of turfgrass that might be difficult to mow or lack enough light. Indian Hawthorn can provide a lower maintenance alternative to beds of annual flowering plants as well. Indian Hawthorn is well adapted to local soils, but will do best in well drained areas. It is moderately drought tolerant once established, and works well in water saving Xeriscapes.
Light requirements for this plant are variable - it will do well in shade or sun. Growth will be more compact and faster in sites that allow for more sun in your Gainesville Yard. In massed planting’s, Hawthorn can be planted at intervals of two feet apart, but set them 18 inches apart if you are putting in a low foundation or boarder hedge. After planting, wait till new growth appears before applying Gainesville fertilization to the planting bed. Monitor soil moisture carefully and add additional water through florida irrigation zones that are separated from turf areas. Use Gainesville Florida landscape mulch to keep out weeds and conserve moisture between plants.
Pruning and maintenance are rarely necessary where the plants have been properly placed in the Florida landscape. An occasional shoot may be headed back to improve plant form, and damaged or diseased stems should be removed. Otherwise, the lack of pruning requirements will make Indian Hawthorn an excellent choice for your Gainesville lawn. If you need additional information on Gainesville landscaping and Florida plants, contact our office at (352) 378-LAWN.