Plant of the Month

White Ixora Ixora `Frankie Hipp'

I was surprised to see this white ixora mixed in with the pink 'Nora Grant' ixora recently. I have not seen many white ixora so this caught my attention. It is a hybrid and a white form of the 'Nora Grant' that is so popular in landscaping. I like white as a color in landscaping. It is particularly effective with night lighting for evening entertaining. If this ixora is as prolific a bloomer as the 'Nora Grant', it should be a knockout.

Growers report a light fragrance at night which is another asset. This is a good grower capable of attaining 6-8 feet under good conditions. Remember that ixoras and other plants bloom at the branch tips, so do not use the plant as a hedge. This plant would serve nicely as a background or screening plant if allowed to grow naturally. These ixoras are not impressive for the first year or two but fill in nicely as they age.

Sources: You can have your local nursery order it for you from a wholesale grower.

• Origin — South East Asia
• Foliage — Glossy oval pointed dark green leaves.
• Growth rate — Moderate
• Nutritional requirements — Acid fertilizer in March, June and October. Keep away from cement (ideally 4-5 feet) to minimize this problem.
• Soil requirements — Acid preferred
• Salt tolerance — Medium
• Drought tolerance — Medium
• Light requirements — Medium to high
• Propagation — Cuttings
• Major problems - Scale, mealybugs, leaf spotting, chlorosis from excess alkalinity.
• Environmental problems — None
  

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