3 reasons to love colourful Coprosma

There are many reasons to love this glossy evergreen shrub but we've narrowed it down to three really great ones.

Coprosma Green & Gold

1. Coprosma provide year-round colour

While seasonal stars bring interest and joy to a garden it's the well selected, year-round plants that make a design consistently great. Coprosma offers year-round colour and a range of new hybrids offer a selection of choices from yellow to lime green and cream to pink to burgundy with variegated foliage creating a lovely mottled effect.

With this plant you will enjoy colour in every season plus a little extra drama in the cooler months when Coprosma colours deepen and you'll see creamy pinks transform to rich red and pale greens to deep orange.

2. You don't need a green thumb for it to thrive

This shrub is hardy enough to have become a coastal garden favourite. The shiny foliage of Coprosma doesn't just look great but is tough enough to take wind and salt in its stride. This makes Coprosma a wonderful plant choice for those tricky, exposed areas or simply a low-care filler plant, shrub or hedge for those of us looking to keep garden maintenance to a minimum.

3. They make an instant impact

This New Zealand native is fast growing allowing you to create a full and colourful hedge, border or statement faster. They make fantastic border plants and look striking when mass planted.

Coprosma Pacific Sunset

Coprosma at a glance

Botanical name: Coprosma repens

Common names: Mirror plant or looking-glass plant

Height: 1 - 1.5 metres

Width: 1 metre

Ideal spot: Coprosma is a well deserved favourite for harsh coastal positions but will thrive in any sunny position in well draining soil.

Where to grow Coprosma? You can grow Coprosma in your garden bed or a pot anywhere that doesn't get frost or snow.

Care tips

How to prepare for planting?

Improve drainage in heavy clay soils by adding coarse compost and river sand.

Feed

In spring give a light feed with an organic slow release all purpose fertiliser. If planted in a pot it will also appreciate a liquid foliage feed.

Prune

Pruning isn't required but you can clip Coprosma back to keep in shape if your prefer a more formal look to your hedges. The ideal time is toward the end of winter, before new spring growth.

Protect

A plant you can almost pop in a forget about when it comes to maintenance, Coprosma also resists diseases and pests.

Water

Coprosma has very low water needs once established and will tolerate drought. To keep leaves looking their full, glossy best however they appreciate regular watering.

More colourful Coprosma

Coprosma Rainbow Surprise

Coprosma Lemon and Lime

Coprosma Karo Red

Coprosma Evening Glow

Pictured in top image: Coprosma Pacific Sunset