Botanical name:

Coprosma rigida

Common name(s):

About:

Coprosma rigida is a small shrub native to New Zealand. It thrives in poorly drained soils and is commonly found along riverbanks and at the edges of lowland and montane forests, as well as in associated scrub and shrublands. This species can reach a height of up to 4m and features densely branching stems that extend at right angles, though some may display a stiffly weeping growth habit. The youngest branchlets are covered in short, erect white hairs that conceal a red-brown surface, while older branches typically lose this hairy coating.

Natural habitat:

Found in shady, damp forest areas with poor drainage. Typically located on or around river banks and forest edges.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade, Wetland, Wind & Coastal tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South & Stewart Islands.

Height: 4m

Flowering:

November – December with a green coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

March – May with white, yellow or orange berries witch are sometimes flecked with blue or black.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed or semi hard wood cuttings.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though