Coprosma Chocolate Soldier

Coprosma 'Chocolate Soldier' is a small, upright bush, highly ornamental throughout the year. Its small, shiny, evergreen leaves are dressed in dark shades, mostly chocolate, sometimes tinged with dark green. Of New Zealand origin, it is not very hardy and will only withstand outdoor conditions in mild coastal climates. Once established, it can tolerate sea spray, wind, and drought, making it perfect for such conditions. In colder regions, it can easily be grown in a pot and overwintered indoors in a cool, bright room.

Coprosma is one of the 600 genera in the large Rubiaceae family, which includes over 10,000 species, including economically important plants like the coffee plant, and many ornamentals such as the enchanting-scented Gardenia. There are around 90 species of Coprosma, often bushes with small leaves, but also some trees with larger leaves, mostly dioecious (individual plants are either male or female) with a few monoecious exceptions. These plants originate from New Zealand, Australia, and various islands (Hawaii, Borneo, Java...).
'Chocolate Soldier' is a horticultural variety of this bush nicknamed the "mirror plant" due to the shine of its leaves. It is most likely a hybrid of Coprosma repens (formerly C. baueri), which, contrary to what the species name might suggest, is not creeping but in its country of origin forms a large bush or even a small tree 3 to 6 m tall, with strong branches covered in reddish-brown bark. It bears opposite, oval, elongated, shiny dark green leaves, measuring 3 to 7 cm long. With moderate growth and much more limited development, 'Chocolate Soldier' forms a small bush reaching a height of 1 m to 1.20 m when mature with a slightly smaller to equivalent width. Additionally, it tolerates pruning well, making it a compact plant suitable for low hedges and container gardening. Its habit is rather upright, dense, and irregular, giving it a somewhat wild silhouette, although the colour of its foliage gives it a more horticultural than natural appearance. The small, leathery leaves, approximately 3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide, are oval, opposite, and borne on short petioles. Their shiny appearance gives them a certain resemblance to boxwood for those unfamiliar with Coprosma. Their colour is mostly chocolate, especially in full sun, but it can mix with dark green hues, particularly on young leaves, or even with reddish edges. In summer, the bush produces inconspicuous male flowers.

Hardy down to -5°C in good conditions (especially well-drained soil), Coprosma 'Chocolate Soldier' will thrive on a mild Mediterranean or coastal climate, as it withstands wind and sea spray well. Its dark foliage will be ideal for enhancing light blooms and creating colour contrasts. Plant a Euryops chrysanthemoides 'Sonnenschein' alongside for a perfect combination. The finely cut leaves in a greyish-green shade will stand out both in shape and colour, while the golden yellow daisy-like flowers will sparkle against the chocolate backdrop of your small Coprosma. A Cassia corymbosa will make an excellent background, with its deeply cut, lush green tropical-looking foliage and bright yellow flowers blooming for several months. In the foreground, plant a Convolvulus cneorum, with its gorgeous velvety grey foliage and large funnel-shaped white flowers.