Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Magic Dragon' (New Zealand Myrtle) – Evergreen Shrub (3L Pot)

A New Zealand myrtle grown for small, richly coloured leaves that hold their tone all year round.

Lophomyrtus x ralphii makes a compact, densely branched evergreen of around 80 to 150cm tall and 60 to 120cm across. The fine foliage shifts subtly through the seasons and gives real structure to a pot, a courtyard or the front of a mixed border, and it sits particularly well in a modern planting scheme.

It is not reliably hardy here. Outdoors it comes through the winter only in mild western and coastal gardens; anywhere else, grow it in a container on a sheltered patio and move it into a cold greenhouse, porch or conservatory before the worst of the weather. It dislikes cold drying wind and wants free draining compost kept just moist. Beyond an occasional light prune to shape, it asks for very little. Supplied as a well rooted 3L plant.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: New Zealand myrtle
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 80 to 150cm tall by 60 to 120cm wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, densely branched, bushy evergreen
• Perfect For: Patio pots, containers, mixed borders, sheltered courtyard planting
• Foliage: Small, closely set evergreen leaves that hold their colour through the year
• Flowering Time: Grown for its foliage rather than its flowers
• Planting Position: Full sun or light shade, sheltered; it grows best in a pot and does well in mild coastal gardens
• Soil Type: Free draining, kept just moist
• Hardiness: Not reliably hardy in Britain. It comes through winter outdoors only in mild western and coastal gardens; elsewhere move it under cover for the winter
• Maintenance: Low. An occasional light prune to shape
• Seasonal Interest: Spring, summer, autumn and winter
• Type: Tender to half hardy evergreen shrub