Description
Ixora parviflora
Family
Rubiaceae
Native
Madagascar
Description
A dense rounded evergreen shrub with deep glossy oval green foliage. Odorata Ixora averages 4 to 5 feet in height and clusters of white fragrant blossoms in summer. It s a compact, dense and multi-branched shrub.
Leaves are evergreen, oblong, opposite/whorled in arrangement, 3 to 4 inches long, and medium green in color. The new foliage is often bronze colored.
The blooms with bright, white flowers have wonderful lingering scent , are small, tubular, 4 petaled, and are borne in dense clusters which are 4 to 6 inches across. It blooms throughout the year in warmer areas with the heaviest bloom in summer.
Environment
Plant Ixora in moist, organic enriched and well-drained acidic soil, and where there is abundant sunlight and humidity for optimum growth and flowering. Remove flowers when withered and dried leaves if any.
Prune annually to keep bush in shape or to encourage flowering, instead of repeatedly shearing off branch tips which will inhibit emerging flower buds.
Feed monthly with a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants.
It is susceptible to yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) when grown in alkaline soil.
Landscape Uses
Excellent for hedges, screens or massed in garden beds and borders