INDIAN HAWTHORN - To plant or not to plant?

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I am considering planting these in my front yard near the curb. The sun scorches my yard and on particular hot days I have to open my front door with a rag to keep from burning my hand. (Zone 8a/8b) Have heard Indian Hawthorn are real hardy and planted in many parking lots. But, I have also heard they are prone to leaf spot (Is this only if they don't get enough sun?) But, I also read of a woman who thought the hot Texas sun was too hard on it. That concerned me since my yard gets so hot. I would really appreciate advice from any of you who actually have Indian Hawthorn in their yards. I was hoping that maybe Indian Hawthorn would be an alternative to azaleas - and I liked that they are evergreen.

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gregbradley

10 years ago

I have a number of Indian Hawthorne in my parkway in Hot Sunny Inland SoCal. Several have some shade from parkway trees, several have none. They both do fine for 12 years.

The only issue here is that regulations require nothing over 24" tall in a parkway, the area between the curb and the sidewalk. If you let them get tall and then take a foot off their height, they look a bit scraggly for a couple months.

I have no irrigation for mine, just hit them with a hose once in a while in the summer. I see them in Palm Springs but assume they mostly have irrigation there.

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Comments (7)

"Stormy" Gray
Original Author
10 years ago
I see. Curious, how hot does your area get? Here it can reach 106 but height isn't a problem. Great they don't require much water! When you just leave Indian Hawthorne alone do they bloom very many flowers? Thanks!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
ALL transplants need proper water for at least one year... and most likely in drought the second year.. if you wish to INSURE success ...

most likely.. gregs.. at 12 years in the ground... dont even need the little water he gives ...

see link on planting shrubs ...

sorry.. but i have no clue about this plant in TX ... good luck with that...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
"Stormy" Gray thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
gregbradley
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
It is 90 here today. We see 106+ every summer. Usually see 110+ each year. I can remember seeing 120 in January and a high of 130 one summer. Highest temp ever recorded in the US is over the next pass going east and a bit north. Pretty dry here so not quite so bad as it seems as long as you can stay in the shade. Just don't park a car in the sun on one of those days. We do usually get some coastal flow at night so it cools off a lot more here at night than over the next pass east toward Palm Springs.

Thanks Ken for bringing up what I forgot. I'm sure I did water them lots to establish them.
"Stormy" Gray thanked gregbradley
User
10 years ago
I have 3 by the street. No shade. They get intense So. FLA sun. Yes, they bloom. I feed a few times a year. I blast them with the hose to encourage unwanted insects to leave. They look the best this year because I finally figured out I had a bug problem. I think they are a pretty tough plant. You can selectively trim them to encourage thicker growth. Green Island ficus is also pretty tough. Used in commercial parking lot landscaping in this area more so than Indian Hawthorn. I have both and like them.
"Stormy" Gray thanked User
"Stormy" Gray
Original Author
10 years ago
Meyerk9, thanks for your input! Which kind of Indian Hawthorn do you own? I would be interested in one with pink flowers ... Are they as hardy as the white? Don't understand why I read about several people in Dallas, TX who thought the sun was frying theirs. Maybe it's a weaker variety they planted? And am I right that azaleas can't take that much sun - not even the double bloom?

Greg Bradley ... never knew any of CA could got that hot! Makes me feel a little better. I was beginning to think no place got as hot as it does here!
User
10 years ago
I have the white flower variety. That's all I see here so it must be all that really makes sense to plant in these challenging conditions. Have you check around in your area to see what landscapers use on big projects like subdivision entrance way or corporate park, city park, hospitals? They wouldn't plant anything fussy.