Description
Coprosma robusta, commonly known as Karamu,
Botanical Characteristics:
- Appearance:
- Coprosma robusta is an evergreen shrub with a dense, bushy growth habit.
- It typically reaches a height of 2-5 meters, making it suitable for hedging or as a standalone feature in the garden.
- The glossy, elliptical leaves are dark green, providing an attractive backdrop for its small, inconspicuous flowers.
- Flowering and Fruit:
- The tiny flowers appear in spring and are followed by small, colorful berries in shades of red, orange, or yellow, adding visual interest to the plant.
- The berries attract native birds, making Coprosma robusta a valuable addition to support local birdlife.
Cultural Requirements:
- Sunlight and Soil:
- Coprosma robusta thrives in a variety of soil types, including well-drained soils and coastal sands.
- It prefers full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to a range of garden environments.
- Suits areas with only light frosts – north.
- Watering:
- While Coprosma robusta is relatively drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during dry periods will promote optimal growth.
- Pruning:
- Pruning can be done to shape the plant, control its size, or encourage bushiness.
- Prune in late spring or early summer for best results, avoiding the colder months to prevent frost damage.
Garden Uses:
- Hedging and Screening:
- Coprosma robusta’s dense growth habit makes it an excellent choice for creating hedges and screens, providing both privacy and wind protection.
- Wildlife Attraction:
- The berries of Coprosma robusta attract native birds, making it a valuable plant for supporting local biodiversity.
- Often used in revegatation projects where it used as a nurse/colonising plant providing an environment for longer term plants to grow.
Plants are in 10cm pots and average two years in age.
