Serissa ‘Flore Pleno’

Serissa 'Flore Pleno' (Serissa japonica 'Flore Pleno') is the miniature hedging and bonsai shrub known as the tree of a thousand stars, and the double white flowers are the reason for the name. It holds a fine textured dome about 60cm tall and wide, flowers in flushes through the warm months, and clips as neatly as English box without the browning box suffers in a humid summer.

Why you'll love it

• Double white flowers for months. Small rosette blooms open in flushes from spring through summer, scattered across the plant rather than all at once.
• It clips beautifully. Tiny leaves and dense twiggy growth take a crisp edge, exactly what a low formal hedge or a shaped ball needs.
• Built for heat and humidity. Where English box sulks and browns through a humid summer, this holds its colour.
• A proven bonsai subject. Fine branching and a naturally gnarled trunk make it a classic species for a first bonsai.

Where it works best

Low hedging and edging. Plant 40cm apart for a low clipped hedge. At that spacing the plants meet within a season and can be held anywhere between 30cm and 60cm with two or three light trims a year.

Topiary and shaping. Single plants train into balls, cones and small standards. The fine growth holds detail a coarser leafed shrub would lose.

Pots, courtyards and bonsai. A 250mm to 300mm pot suits a shaped specimen and a shallow tray suits a trained one. Potted plants need steady moisture, because this is not a drought tolerant species.

Growing Serissa in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with shelter from harsh afternoon sun inland. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and takes heat and humidity in its stride. Light frost is the limit, so in cold gardens grow it in a pot and shelter it through winter.

Soil. Free draining but moisture retentive, with compost worked through. It dislikes both waterlogging and drying out completely, which is the one demanding thing about it.

Water and feed. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in pots and through summer. A sudden dry out causes leaf drop, though the plant usually recovers. Feed with a balanced controlled release fertiliser in early spring and again at midsummer.

Pruning. Trim lightly and often through the growing season. It answers clipping with denser growth and reshoots readily from older wood, which makes it forgiving to shape.

What to expect when it arrives

Serissa is grown here in tubes: young rooted plants around 100mm to 200mm tall. For a low hedge that is all you need, because at 40cm spacing a run of tubes closes up within a season or two, and starting small lets you build the shape from the ground.

Tubes travel well, though some leaf drop after transit is normal with this species. Plant or pot within a few days of arrival, keep the mix evenly moist for the first month, and begin tip pruning once new growth appears. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Creating a Japanese inspired garden in Australia
• Browse topiary and shaping plants
• Plants for small gardens and courtyards
• How to create a great hedge and keep it sharp

Common questions

How far apart do I plant it for a low hedge?

40cm apart in a single row. The plants close up within a season or two and can be held anywhere from 30cm to 60cm.

Why did it drop its leaves suddenly?

Serissa reacts to change. A dry out, a move, a cold snap or repotting will each trigger leaf drop. Keep the moisture steady, leave it in one position, and it usually reshoots within a few weeks.

Is it a good bonsai for a beginner?

Yes, it is one of the standard starting species. It buds back freely, tolerates frequent trimming and thickens quickly. The discipline is watering, because it will not forgive a dry pot.