Coprosma acerosa

Low growing, mat-forming, tangled, evergreen shrub growing to around 0.75m tall and 1.5m wide.

Tiny green flowers are followed by small white berries. Leaves are yellow/green, short and narrow and lie along yellow/orange stems.

Prefers full sun with well-drained soil, but will tolerate quite harsh hot, dry conditions.

Always choose healthy, well-grown, plants and plant after autumn rains, when the soil is moist and warm allows shrubs to establish a good root system well before summer. Planting is often improved on clay soils by adding extra topsoil and forming raised beds. Incorporate coarse sand, bark, peat, compost or other organic material to improve soil structure. Before planting ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots or branches and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball to plant in. Long term slow-release fertilisers may be added at this stage. As soil is placed in the prepared hole tread firmly to bring soil in close contact with the root-ball. Unless the soil is very wet water thoroughly making sure that moisture penetrates to the depth of the root-ball.

Water well over the summer months and mulch annually with an organic mulch. This will suppress weeds and help conserve moisture. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring such as blood and bone. This Coprosma generally doesn't need much pruning other than possibly to keep away for path sides.

Native gecko species love the berries.

Generally trouble free

Threatened Native Plant Garden