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Grow "Short Spreaders" in Your Landscape
Punta Gorda Life
By
Ralph E. Mitchell
July, 2004
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Do you have an Indian Hawthorn or two in
your |
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Indian
Hawthorn |
landscape? How about a 'Shilling's Dwarf' Holly?
The answer for many readers will probably be
"Yes!" If you don't have these in |
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your landscape, you will probably see them
included in many large landscapes in and
around commercial or institutional settings.
The Indian Hawthorn and 'Shilling's Dwarf' Holly are
evergreen shrubs that are naturally
spreading and relatively short in size.
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While
they grow slow, they can reach a height of up to
seven feet tall, and to ten feet wide. I've
never seen them this large, so take heart that the
growth is slow and manageable. These "Short
Spreaders" of the landscape world can make an
attractive impact in your yard.
While these shrubs are similar in size and growth,
they both have a markedly different texture.
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Indian Hawthorn |
Medium in
texture, Indian Hawthorn have two to four inch, rich
grey-green leaves that are highlighted in the spring by
pink, fragrant flowers. This is followed by fleshy purplish
fruit that is attractive to birds. 'Schilling's Dwarf' with
small (less than two inches) green leaves with a reddish
cast when young has a fine texture. This holly has small
white, non-descript flowers followed by no berries as this
cultivar comes in only male plants. While both of these
plants will grow in a range of light conditions from part
shade to part sun, they will do best in full sun. In fact,
Indian Hawthorn will actually lose foliage to a leaf spot
disease in part shade situations. Plant density,
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flower and fruit production will also be reduced in
less than six hours of sun.
Both
the Indian Hawthorn and 'Schilling's Dwarf' are drought
tolerant. 'Schilling's' is a cultivar of our native Yaupon
Holly which grows with only natural irrigation. Once
established, these shrubs can survive with low water needs.
In partnership with this good characteristic is their salt
tolerance. Both shrubs are known for being great seaside
plant subjects.
When
setting these shrubs out in the landscape, plant on four
foot centers to accommodate future spread considering that
they will grow wider than taller, and help with quick
coverage in mass planting. If any minor pruning is needed,
make sure to always leave the bottom of the plant wider than
the top. This will ensure that sun will get to all parts of
the shrub and, accordingly, the foliage will be full. If
you were to shear vertically, the lower part of the plant
would be shaded and lose foliage giving the plant a leafless
bottom - not a pretty sight!
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Shilling's Dwarf'
Holly |
While
the 'Shilling's Dwarf' Holly is a single cultivar,
the Indian Hawthorn family has a variety of
cultivars available with different sizes, leaf color
and flowering features that are worth trying.
'Ballerina' is a one to two foot dwarf variety with
dark pink flowers. 'Enchantress' is another
dwarf that blooms from late winter to early spring.
'Fascination' features a very compact plant with
star-shaped rose-colored flowers with white centers.
'Hines Darkleaf' is a patented cultivar that has
green or maroon new foliage color and dark purple
fall color. 'Snow White' features dwarf
spreading growth with white |
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flowers. Certainly lots of cultivars for the Indian
Hawthorn connoisseur!
The
Indian Hawthorn and 'Shilling's Dwarf' Holly can be part of
your landscape that requires short and spreading shrubs that
add texture to your yard. These plants are readily
available at local garden centers and are tolerant of our
sometimes dry, sunny and salty environment.
Ralph Mitchell is the
county extension director/horticulture agent for the
Charlotte County Cooperative Extension Service. You may
contact him by e-mail Ralph.Mitchell@charlottefl.com
You may also contact a volunteer Master Gardener from
1 p.m. to
4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 764-4340 or by e-mail Master.Gardener@charlottefl.com
Resources:
Gilman, E. F. (1999) Raphiolepis indica, The
University of Florida Extension Service, IFAS.
Gilman, E. F. (1999) Ilex vomitoria 'Schilling's
Dwarf', The University of Florida Service, IFAS. 
Ralph E. Mitchell is a Horticulturist
and Charlotte County Extension Agent
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"If you are really living... you are enjoying the Punta Gorda
Life"
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