A couple of months ago, the Landscape Design class I am attending, traveled to a wholesale nursery for a "nursery study". The goal was to identify 20 "new to us" plants, then pair each of those with 2 companion plants. Needless to say, Ken Williams, our instructor and fellow Master Gardener, has a good sense of humor. We arrived at the wholesale nursery and our collective jaws dropped at the sheer size of what lay before us. The 17 of us spent a good number of hours oohing through row after row of acres of tidy plants, many set up on drip systems we tried to avoid disturbing. Well hours later, we had to get back in our cars, many of us with new plants in tow, trying to avoid the afternoon commute traffic. What an experience!
Well now to the subject of "Coprosma", where have I been to not have noticed this remarkable group of plants from New Zealand. Soon after arrival at this nursery, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of these little jewels, literally. Coprosma repens, common name "Mirror Plant" really delivers with their almost impossibly shiny leaves. When I first saw this plant I could hardly believe what I was looking at. Strikingly bold variegation with the shiniest leaves I have ever seen, wow I was intrigued. As I whipped out my phone to get more info, I found that Coprosma are valued for their ease of maintenance in difficult situations and for their handsome foliage. C. hybrids grow to the size of a small shrub about 4-5 feet tall and wide, they are suited to Sunset zones 8,9, 14 - 24, the climates throughout Solano County. The Coprosma hybrid 'Tequila Sunrise' is now in my garden. It produces shiny green new growth, edged with gold. As the leaves mature, shades of gold and orange will appear finishing in winter with shades of bright red and orange. So far this little gem is doing just fine in its new home and I smile each time I walk by and enjoy this kaleidoscope of color and form.
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