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Shrubs

Coprosma 'Scarlet O'Hara'

looking-glass plant 'Scarlet O'Hara'

A compact evergreen shrub to around 1m high, with small, glossy, variegated green and yellow leaves that are flushed bright red in summer, and dark maroon in autumn and winter. Flowers in spring are green, small and insignificant

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

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

In milder areas, grow outdoors in neutral to slightly acid soil, in sun or light shade, and protect from winter frosts. In colder areas, grow under glass in loam-based potting compost with added grit, in bright filtered light and with good ventilation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Pruning group 8

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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