Lophomyrtus × ralphii 'Red Dragon'

RHS Plant Profile
New Zealand myrtle 'Red Dragon'
Shrubs

'Red Dragon' is an evergreen shrub, reaching 1.5m, with small, round, slightly puckered, pinkish-red leaves that turn a deep burgundy colour when temperatures fall. Mature plants produce small, white, scented, cup-shaped flowers with a mass of stamens in late summer, followed by black berries.

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Myrtaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Lophomyrtus are evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple, leathery leaves, four-petaled flowers with prominent stamens and purple-black to red berries
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. In mild areas grow outdoors in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in partial shade

Propagation

Root semi-ripe heel cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Hedging and screens
  • Wall side borders
  • Cut flowers

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free