Indian Hawthorn Berries Poisonous – Indian hawthorn (scientific name Rhaphiolepis indica) is a popular shrub originally from southern China, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. It is also commonly found in Asia and Australia, although it can be grown in different climates around the world. This evergreen plant is characterized by pink and white flowers in the spring while the rest of the year, it features broad, oval green leaves with a serrated texture around the edges that grow between 2 and 4 inches in length. The shrub itself reaches between 4 and 6 feet in height and width.
According to The Spruce, caring for Indian hawthorn trees shouldn’t be too much of a hassle as they are quite self-sufficient when provided with the right sunlight, soil and temperature conditions. The best part is that this shrub is highly resistant to drought and other adverse growing conditions, including excessive salt in the soil, making it perfect for coastal locations.
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Indian Hawthorn Berries Poisonous
Garden Frontier reports that Indian halfthorn is particularly sought after for its ability to produce edible berries, which continue to sprout from the plant long after the flower’s seasonal bloom period. If you like to see wildlife in your yard, this feature is especially attractive to many animal species. Now that you’ve chosen an Indian halfthorn shrub for your garden, scroll through the following guide for some tips on growing and caring for this hardy plant.
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The possibilities for using Indian hawthorn in your garden are many as this shrub can serve a variety of purposes in any outdoor space. For starters, because of the shrub’s rounded shape, it can be a good idea to plant multiple individuals in a row around the outside of your yard to provide structure and boundaries to the space, especially if the plant is of the same species to blend in with others. Clemson Cooperative Extension recommends choosing a design for your Indian hawthorn based on individual plant size. For example, large shrubs can be planted along a boundary between one property and the next to provide privacy. This same concept works if your property borders a public sidewalk or crossing area. Small individuals can serve to decorate garden beds in your yard.
Another popular use of Indian halfthorn in a garden space is to plant individuals in pots or containers. This provides the added benefit of making the plant mobile, allowing you to choose different locations in your yard to place your Indian hawthorn depending on the season, the movement of the sun, etc. Containers are also great for planting Indian hawthorn on a patio or deck. Gives you the chance to add their lovely green hue to the color scheme of the space. The main factor in where you plant your Indian halfthorn is the growing conditions provided by any location.
Depending on where you decide to plant your Indian halfthorn in your garden, you will need either a garden bed or a planting container to get started. Alternatively, if you choose to use a series of Indian hawthorns as a border around a specific area of your property, you will need to use wooden stakes or string to map out the positions of the rows. Get a shovel for digging holes in the ground and a pair of gardening gloves if you want to protect your hands while you work.
Before planting every Indian Hawthorn root ball, Gardening Know How recommends getting rid of weeds and other debris that might get in the way of planting. Each hole you dig should extend the length of the root ball without leaving it exposed above ground. The width of each hole should be about two to three times the size of the root ball. Before placing the root ball in the hole, water the plant’s new home and surrounding soil. Then, stick the plant in the hole and cover it with soil until it is level with the rest of the soil. Your Indian Hawthorns will need extra water after transplanting them and throughout the first few weeks. If you are planting your Indian hawthorn in a container, you will need to purchase well-drained garden soil and follow the same steps as planting in soil.
Hawthorn — Wild Foods And Medicines
If you live in a mild winter climate, in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, your Indian hawthorn bushes can survive outside year-round. Spruce notes that it’s especially important that Indian hawthorns are grown in a location with full sun so that they thrive in your outdoor space. Ideally, the soil you plant your Indian hawthorns in will be on the acidic side and provide adequate drainage to avoid waterlogging around the roots of your plant and making it susceptible to root rot and other diseases.
The amount of water an Indian hawthorn plant needs depends on the time of year and the amount of rainfall in the region it lives in. During the active growing period, the plant will need extra water, while during the non-active growing period (usually winter), you can feel free to cut back. Keep in mind that Indian hawthorn is drought tolerant once mature, meaning erring on the side of low water is probably the right choice.
Waters Garden Center recommends that gardeners apply a little extra fertilizer every season except winter to ensure the plant receives adequate nutrients. As a bonus, this low-maintenance shrub will require no pruning during the growing season, so you can sit back and watch it produce fragrant-smelling flowers with minimal care.
There are many cultivars of Indian Hawthorn, or Rhaphiolepis indica, to choose from within the species Rhaphiolepis; They are all evergreen shrubs and grow between 3 and 6 feet in both height and width, although some hybrids can grow up to 12 feet. Rhaphiolepis indica is native to the Asian countries of southern China, Vietnam, Laos, and Japan and, according to Natusphera, can be found growing wild along roadsides, mountains, and coastal sites. Differences between cultivars are generally related to color, size, growing conditions, temperature tolerance and disease resistance.
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According to Clemson Cooperative Extension, most Indian hawthorn cultivars boast beautiful names, such as Blueberry Muffin, which features white flowers and stands up to the cold better than its cousin. Eskimo is another cold-hardy variety, aptly named for its ability to withstand temperatures down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also one of the tallest species, reaching a height of 6 feet. Indian princess is smaller than Indian halfthorn and gets its name from its princess-pink flowers that change to white later in the growing season. The Snow White variety is another whose name refers to the color of its flowers; Its white flowers contrast beautifully with the surrounding vibrant-green foliage. Finally, Georgia Charm is another great choice, with white flowers and an average height of 4 feet.
Although the Indian hawthorn plant is not poisonous, certain species produce berries that can be poisonous if eaten, according to Specialty Produce. Since there are dozens of varieties of this plant, it is important to choose one that is perfectly safe to eat. The good news is that Indian hawthorn berries have been used medicinally and in cooking for centuries, and you should be able to eat the berries that your bush produces. The most common uses of berries are jams and sauces. The high presence of antioxidant flavonoids has also made the berries a popular treatment for heart problems for many years.
Given the large variety of Indian Hawthorn species that are safe to eat, if you have small children or pets who tend to eat your plants and flowers, you won’t have a hard time incorporating a non-toxic variety into your outdoor space. Even if you choose a poisonous variety of Indian hawthorn, be sure there are steps you can take to reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to your young and/or furry family members. Fencing your Indian hawthorn growing areas is an easy way to keep children away from the potentially poisonous berries. Garden steads offer a few additional solutions to keep pets away from poisonous plants, including spraying plants with an odor repellant and using clicker or balance training methods to teach them to ignore plants.
According to Wilson Bros. Gardens, your Indian halfthorn will probably last about two to three years of growth before needing to upgrade to a larger pot. You’ll know it’s time to repot your shrub when growth slows and/or you see roots coming out of the pot or container’s drainage holes. When you buy a new pot, remember that it will allow for an additional 6 inches of root ball growth, so take care to choose one with enough room for your Indian halfthorn to expand.
Flowerwood 2.5 Qt. Snow White Indian Hawthorn, Live Evergreen Shrub, White Blooms 5172q
Not necessary though