Rhaphiolepis umbellata var. minor, commonly known as Japanese Hawthorn, is an evergreen shrub native to the forest edges, thickets, and coastal regions of East Asia, particularly Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters) and a width of 4 feet (1.2 meters), featuring a dense, mounded form. The plant is adorned with leathery, dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are pink-tinged with white centers, blooming profusely in the spring and sporadically in the fall and winter. The flowers are followed by small, dark blue to black berries that are attractive to birds.

Japanese Hawthorn is valued for its low maintenance, compact size, and the extended flowering period that adds interest to the garden across multiple seasons. It is commonly used in urban landscapes, as a foundation planting, low hedge, or in mass plantings for ground cover. This shrub thrives in a range of light conditions, from full sun to part shade, and is adaptable to various soil types, provided they have good drainage. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from medium water availability. Gardeners should be aware that it can be susceptible to leaf spot and fire blight, and it may require occasional pruning to maintain its shape.CC BY-SA 4.0