Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Red Dragon'
Ralph's red dragon myrtle
Also known as Myrtus x ralphii 'Red Dragon'
- Height × spread
- 4m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Generally available in late Spring & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a useful evergreen shrub that makes a neat bell shape. The leaves are shiny, small and pointed with toothy edges. The leaves are coloured reddish pink when young, and are held on reddish shoots. With maturity they turn a deep red to black shade, this colour becoming deeper and more intense during the winter months. There are pink flowers in summer too, though not borne freely. Red berries follow the flowers. This shrub needs a warm and sheltered spot in rich, moist but well drained soil with sunshine. It is slow growing but can achieve the height of a small tree in New Zealand.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Pink, Red
- Stem colour
- Red
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 4m
- Height in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Lophomyrtus
Lophomyrtus
Crested myrtle
Lophomyrtus bullata
Rama rama, Puckered crested myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii
Ralph's crested myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Black Pearl'
Multicoloured Ralph's myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Kathryn'
Ralph's Kathyrn myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Little Star'
Ralph's little star myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Magic Dragon'
Ralph's magic dragon myrtle
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Multicolor'
Ralph's multicoloured myrtle