Coprosma cheesemanii

Botanical name: Coprosma cheesemanii
Synonyms: Coprosma depressa
Common name(s): Cheeseman’s coprosma

About:
A low-growing, sprawling shrub endemic to New Zealand, valued for its neat habit, tiny glossy leaves and colourful orange-red fruit. Its slender branches produce short, perpendicular leafy shoots that create a distinctive flattened appearance. Naturally occurring in upland environments, it is a hardy species well suited to cool climates and exposed sites.

Natural habitat:
Montane to subalpine tussock grasslands, shrublands, bog forests and damp open areas, often in permanently moist or seasonally wet sites.

Growing environment:
Prefers cool conditions with full sun to partial shade and moist, free-draining soils. Tolerates frost, wind and exposed conditions and grows well in alpine or bog garden settings.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand. Found in the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura, from Mount Hikurangi southwards.

Height:
0.5–1 m

Width:
Up to 2 m

Flowering:
December

Fruiting:
January–March

Uses:
• Alpine and rock gardens
• Bog and wetland plantings
• Native shrub borders
• Revegetation projects
• Groundcover on slopes and banks
• Habitat and food source for native birds

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A prostrate to sprawling evergreen shrub with slender, flexible branches forming broad mats or low mounds. The short side branches grow at right angles to the main stems, giving the plant a flattened, layered appearance.

Leaves:
Leaves are very small, glossy and leathery, arranged in opposite pairs or clusters. They are linear to narrow-oblong, olive-green, 8–11 mm long and 1–2 mm wide, often with reddish-brown margins. The midrib is the only obvious vein.

Flowers:
Tiny green flowers are borne singly at the ends of short branchlets. Male flowers have a broad bell-shaped corolla without a calyx, while female flowers possess small triangular calyx teeth and reflexed corolla lobes.

Fruit:
Produces attractive orange to orange-red fleshy drupes about 6–7 mm in diameter. Fruits usually contain one or two seeds and persist for several months.

Ecology:
The fleshy fruits are dispersed by birds, which feed on the berries and spread the seeds across open habitats. Classified as a facultative upland species, it occasionally grows in wetlands but is most often found in upland environments. Its dense, low growth provides shelter for insects and small animals.

Associated habitats:
Montane shrublands, tussock grasslands, bog forests, alpine herbfields, wet hollows and subalpine wetlands.

How to grow:
Plant in full sun or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil. It prefers cool climates and benefits from regular moisture, although established plants tolerate short dry periods. Excellent for exposed gardens and alpine settings.

Propagation:
Usually propagated from fresh seed, which germinates readily after cleaning. Semi-hardwood cuttings can also be rooted successfully. Layering may occur naturally where branches contact the soil.

Cultural use:
Named in honour of New Zealand botanist Thomas Cheeseman, who made major contributions to the study of New Zealand’s native flora.

Garden value:
A charming and hardy small coprosma valued for its fine texture, compact habit and bright fruit. Ideal for alpine gardens, rockeries and naturalistic native plantings where its intricate branching pattern can be appreciated.