Lophomyrtus x ralphii Black Stallion

Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Black Stallion' is an evergreen shrub with extremely ornamental foliage. The young shoots emerge in reddish tones before maturing to a dark purple, giving the plant a very distinctive look. Its very dense, dark vegetation is adorned with small creamy-white flowers in late spring. Its medium size (under 2 m) and very bushy habit make it suitable for beautiful hedges, albeit with a rather slow growth rate. This plant for mild climates is well-suited to coastal areas and areas sheltered from scorching sun in the south. Elsewhere, it should be grown in a container to be protected from frost over winter.

Lophomyrtus belongs to the Myrtaceae family, comprising around 3000 species mainly in warm climates, such as Bottlebrush with its brush-like flowers, and in our latitudes by Common Myrtle, a Mediterranean evergreen shrub. The Lophomyrtus genus is, in a way, the Australasian counterpart to our Myrtus, represented by only two species native to New Zealand: L. bullata, a large shrub reaching 8 m in height, and L. obcordata, much shorter (approximately 1.80 m) but slightly hardier. Their cross-breeding produced Lophomyrtus x ralphii, a natural hybrid of which several horticultural varieties exist.
'Black Stallion' is one of them, characterised by very attractive coloured foliage. Over time, the shrub forms a very dense, well-branched clump, developing opposite and decussate twigs (offset by 90° from one level to the next). The small leaves are also opposite, measuring 2 to 4 cm long by 1 to 2 cm wide. They are elliptical to lanceolate in shape, and the well-marked veins give them a slightly quilted appearance. Their slightly leathery surface is glossy, but it is primarily their colour that catches the eye. Emerging in reddish tones, they gradually darken to a very elegant dark purple. The shrub most often reaches 1.50 m in height, sometimes a little more, with a spread of 70 cm, forming a very compact screen of vegetation. In June-July, small creamy-white flowers approximately 1 cm in diameter bloom, typical of the Myrtaceae family, forming a cluster of stamens. Although modest in size, they create a lovely contrast against the dark foliage. They attract bees and, after fertilisation, produce small black fruits.

Lophomyrtus 'Black Stallion' is an interesting shrub for mild climates, where its dark colours will create aesthetic foliage contrasts. You can pair it with variegated Phormiums whose long, sword-like leaves will also provide a contrast in shape. In a low hedge, it will neighbour very well with Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Elisabeth' with its beautiful crinkled green leaves edged with white, provided you are patient, as these two are not fast growers. Particularly in the drier south, a Dodonea viscosa 'Purpurea' will be more suitable for creating a hedge with a purplish appearance... This Lophomyrtus will also be well-suited to container cultivation where winters would be too harsh for it. You would then treat it as an orangery plant, bringing it under cover in winter. In the company of citrus trees like the Satsuma Mandarin, it will help you create an exotic atmosphere on a terrace during summer.