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Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl is a gorgeous, compact growing evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and clusters of small white flowers with pink stamens from late Autumn to late Spring. It is a low maintenance, versatile shrub that can be used as a low border or hedge, as an accent plant or in pots and containers. Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl has a naturally round and robust growing habit, requiring very little pruning and with beautiful blooms that attract pollinators.
CARE AND GROWTH:
Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl prefers a well-lit position in full sun. While it can also tolerate part shade, it is important it receives ample sunlight to ensure it flowers profusely. Plant in a well-draining soil and during the establishment period (approx. 12 weeks), make sure it is kept moist but not waterlogged. Once established, it will become more drought tolerant. On days of extreme heat or high winds, increase water to avoid the plant drying out.
Fertilise in Spring with a slow-release fertiliser. Prune after flowering, removing any dead branches to encourage fresh, new growth. You can apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help with soil temperature, water retention and weed suppression.
PLANTING IDEAS:
Low Hedge/Border: Due to its compact size, Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl works well as a low hedge or border. Fantastic for adding a splash of colour to your space!
Mass planting: The dark green foliage of the Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl works wonderfully with the white and pink flowers, making it a great choice for mass/accent planting. Its uniform, rounded growing habit requires very little upkeep.
Pots/Containers: Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl works great in small spaces, and its vibrant colours will only be enhanced by a decorative pot or container.
When planning companion plants to pair with Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl, it’s a good idea to consider plants that share similar requirements in terms of sunlight, soil, and water needs. Here are some suggestions for companion plants that can complement Oriental Pearl:
- Lorapetalum China Pink: Both Rhaphiolepis and Loropetalum are evergreen shrubs with colorful foliage and similar cultural requirements. Loropetalum’s burgundy or pink foliage can provide a nice contrast to the dark green leaves of ‘Oriental Pearl’.
- Nandina Varieties: Compact Nandina varieties, such as Nandina Moonbay or NNDINA Obsession, can work well with Oriental Pearl. They share a preference for well-draining soil and can provide additional colour and texture.
SPACING:
Recommended spacing will depend on your intended use but for hedging we suggest the following;
For smaller pot sizes (140mm and 200mm) we recommend 3-4 plants per metre and for larger pot sizes (300mm and 400mm), 2-3 plants per metre. This is a guide only.
For accent planting, every 1-1.5m is ideal.
POT SIZES:
We stock Rhaphiolepis Oriental Pearl is several sizes from 200mm to our advanced 400mm pots, giving out customers more flexibility when it comes to time and budget. Start off small with our 200mm pots or choose the larger 300mm or 400mm options for an instant impact!
OTHER VARIETIES:
The Rhaphiolepis family of plants are winners when it comes to low maintenance and beautiful colour. Apart from Oriental Pearl, we stock the very popular Rhaphiolepis Snow Maiden. Also check out Rhaphiolepis Cosmic White and Rhaphiolepis Cosmic Pink!
SUMMARY:
Position: Full sun to part shade
Max Height: 1m
Max Width: 1m
Spacing for hedging: Every 25-40cm depending on pot size
Type: Hedge, Accent, Border, Containers
Feed: Slow-release fertiliser
Pruning: Once to twice a year in warmer months depending on desired height