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Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise'PBR (v)

looking-glass plant 'Rainbow Surprise'

'Rainbow Surprise' is a compact shrub up to 2.5m high with variegated evergreen oval leaves, olive green at the centre, and roughly edged with shades of lime-green, yellow, cream, pink and red, the pink and red being stronger in winter or cold weather; the flowers in spring are green, small and insignificant

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated
Summer Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated
Autumn Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated
Winter Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Rubiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Coprosma are evergreen shrubs with leathery, simple leaves and insignificant dioecious flowers, followed by colourful berries on female plants, where both sexes are grown together

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but perfectly drained neutral to slightly acid soils in good light or dappled shade in a warm, sheltered position, or under glass in a loam-based potting compost with added grit in bright filtered light with good ventilation

Propagation

Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 8 (early-flowering evergreen shrubs) - usually no pruning required; the foliage can be used for flower arranging

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.