Plant Library

Other Names:  Lophomyrtus bullata x obcordata

Description:

A small, evergreen, upright, branching shrub featuring pointed leaves that emerge pink, maturing to burgundy red, developing black overtones; small white flowers in summer are followed by dark red berries; provide semi-shade in very hot summer climates

Ornamental Features

Red Dragon New Zealand Myrtle has attractive red-variegated burgundy foliage with hints of black which emerges pink in spring on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The small glossy pointy leaves are highly ornamental and turn crimson in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. It features dainty clusters of white flowers at the ends of the branches in mid summer. It produces dark red berries from late summer to late fall. The brick red branches are extremely showy and add significant winter interest.

Landscape Attributes

Red Dragon New Zealand Myrtle is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Red Dragon New Zealand Myrtle is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Red Dragon New Zealand Myrtle will grow to be about 7 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Red Dragon New Zealand Myrtle makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.