Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise'PBR (v)
looking-glass plant 'Rainbow Surprise'
'Rainbow Surprise' is a compact shrub up to 2.5m high with variegated evergreen oval leaves, olive green at the centre, and roughly edged with shades of lime-green, yellow, cream, pink and red, the pink and red being stronger in winter or cold weather; the flowers in spring are green, small and insignificant
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated | |||
Autumn | Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated | |||
Winter | Cream Green Yellow Pink Red Variegated |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
Grow outdoors in moist but perfectly drained neutral to slightly acid soils in good light or dappled shade in a warm, sheltered position, or under glass in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit in bright filtered light with good ventilation
Propagation
Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 8 (early-flowering evergreen shrubs) - usually no pruning required; the foliage can be used for flower arranging
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.