Coprosma is a very hardy genus of New Zealand native plants that have been used well in private and commercial landscapes. C. ‘Roy’s Red’, as the name implies, is a red leaved form that reaches 90cm to 1.2m in height and 1m in spread. It has small red foliage with insignificant flowers in spring. C. ‘Roy’s Red’ is easy to grow with an attractive pyramidical shape and will tolerate full sun to part shade. The foliage colors up best in the winter and autumn.
It is hardy to moderate frosts and will tolerate some level of salt spray. Clive Larkman found it at a nice retail nursery in the South Island of New Zealand and felt that it would be a good addition to the Larkman Plants range of good garden plants. An annual feed with Osmocote Outdoor Tree and Shrubs and a light prune in spring will keep it looking good.
Plant with Heuchera ‘Chocolate Rufffles’ for a dark bed or interplant with Astelia banksii and Heuchera ‘Amber Waves’ for a contrast of color and form. Also makes a great small hedge or border plant and can be grown in a pot on the verandah or patio.
