Lophomyrtus x ralphii

The New Zealand Myrtle, or Ramarama in Māori, is a temperate species native to the South Pacific island nation of New Zealand. This selection is a naturally occurring hybrid between two species, Lophomyrtus bullata and Lophomyrtus obcordata, which has cupped red and bronze foliage that is truly striking in the garden. Growing up to about nine feet high and between four and six feet wide, New Zealand Myrtle is easy to maintain, tolerating pruning quite well.

Evergreen foliage is accented by fluffy white flowers in late spring, which have a sweet fragrance. In late summer plants are adorned with small, black, edible fruit which are sweet and aromatic. Plants are adaptable tolerating full sun to moderate shade.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 8b or to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.