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Shrubs

Lophomyrtus × ralphii 'Kathryn'

A half-hardy, rounded, evergreen shrub to 2m tall, primarily grown for its foliage. The small, glossy oval leaves are flushed purple and blistered between the veins. In summer, mature plants produce open, cup-shaped white flowers with a prominent boss of stamens; these are followed by blackish-red berries

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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Chalk
Clay
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer White Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple Black Red
Winter Green Purple
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Myrtaceae
Native to the UK
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

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How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. During the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade, with the protection of a warm wall

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe. Root semi-ripe cuttings in summer with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

See pruning group 1; may require restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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