Coprosma Pacific Dawn

Coprosma 'Pacific Dawn' is a small evergreen bush with highly decorative foliage, full of nuances. Originating from New Zealand, it is not very hardy, but drought-resistant and highly tolerant to sea spray. Its lovely small shiny leaves diffuse a soft reddish aura as if illuminated by the rosy glow of the rising sun. They change colours throughout the seasons: edged with raspberry red, they have a green centre with chocolate brown that will be lighter in summer and darker in winter. When planted in the ground, it is a perfect bush for coastal gardens. Elsewhere, this small erect bush with dense foliage will uniquely adorn the terrace or balcony throughout the warm season and spend the winter protected from frost.

The genus Coprosma consists of 90 species of evergreen bushes and small trees, most of which are native to New Zealand. These plants belong to the Rubiaceae family, which also includes Sweet Woodruff, Coffee, and Gardenia, for example. Recently introduced to the European horticultural market, these bushes, known as mirror plants, develop extremely shiny foliage where light and colours play wonderfully. These not very hardy bushes prefer dry and hot climates, as well as poor and well-drained soils. Hybrids and cultivars like 'Pacific Dawn' are not very hardy and will suffer at temperatures below -3°C (26.6 °F). Therefore, their cultivation in the ground will be limited to coastal areas unaffected by severe frosts.

Coprosma 'Pacific Dawn' is a hybrid bush derived, among others, from the species Coprosma repens. It has an erect and dense habit, reaching approximately 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) in height and 1.20 m (3 ft 11 in) in width at maturity. Its growth is rapid. It develops evergreen foliage composed of small opposite, entire, lanceolate, leathery, and glossy leaves. Their colour evolves over the months, showing more or less intense tones of pink, red, green, purple, and chocolate brown. Together, they form a kind of shining and multicoloured bush. The discreet flowering takes place in late summer. It is made of clusters of greenish stamens or stigmas, borne by male or female flowers on separate individuals. When male plants are planted near female plants, small orange-red, decorative fruits form on the latter.

Coprosma 'Pacific Dawn' is a precious-looking bush, highly ornamental when displayed in a pot on the terrace or balcony. It can be associated with other plants with green foliage (Lonicera nitida), golden (golden oregano), purple like the Berberis or grey like the artemisias, in a low hedge. This cultivation method is suitable for most regions where frost is significant in winter. This bush requires some precautions to grow in the ground: it prefers light, poor, and non-chalky soils.