Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Rajah’ is a popular and very tough evergreen shrub prized for its resilience and neat form. It has a compact, rounded habit, making it an excellent choice for formal hedging, borders, or low screens. Its new growth appears with an attractive reddish tint, maturing into dark, leathery green leaves. From late winter into spring, it produces profuse clusters of pale pink buds that open into lovely star-shaped white flowers. These are followed by small, dark blue berries. ‘Rajah’ is renowned for being particularly hardy, tolerating coastal air, heat, dry conditions, and light frost.
Care Tips:
- Position: Best grown in a position that receives full sun to partial shade. Flowering is most abundant in a sunny spot.
- Soil: Highly adaptable and tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including sandy, coastal soils. It requires good drainage.
- Watering: Once established, it is very drought-tolerant, making it an ideal water-wise plant. Water young plants regularly to help them establish strong roots.
- Pruning: Naturally maintains a dense, compact shape, so little pruning is required. If needed for shaping a hedge, prune lightly after the main flowering period in spring.
- Pests & Diseases: Rarely troubled by pests or diseases, contributing to its reputation as an exceptionally low-maintenance choice.
