Ixora caseiGiant Red Ixora

Ixora casei is the giant of the ixoras, a Micronesian shrub whose domed flower heads reach the size of a dinner plate and open red above large glossy leathery leaves. In a warm climate it flowers almost without a break.

It is planted as a feature shrub, an informal flowering hedge and a resort border, wherever the soil can be kept on the acid side of neutral.

Specifications

• Height2 to 4 metres
• Width2 to 3 metres
• Native toThe Caroline Islands of Micronesia
• FoliageLarge, glossy, leathery oblong leaves; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers moist, acidic, well-drained soils rich in organic matter; yellows on alkaline ground
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate; regular water through the growing season
• ClimateThrives in tropical and warm subtropical regions and is frost-sensitive

Additional Features

• FlowersVery large domed heads of red tubular flowers, produced near-continuously in warm climates
• UsesIdeal for feature shrub planting, informal flowering hedges and screens, tropical borders and resort landscaping
• SpacingPlant 1.5 to 2 metres apart for a continuous hedge or mass
• Low MaintenancePrune after a flush to keep the plant dense and within scale
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust; monitor for scale and for chlorosis where soil pH climbs
• Wildlife AttractionThe flower heads are worked by butterflies and sunbirds
• Seasonal AppealFlowering runs through most of the year rather than in a single burst

Giant Red Ixora carries the largest flower head in its group, and on suitable soil it will hold that display nearly year round.