Lophomyrtus
Crested myrtle
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 8m × 1.2m – 4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are only two species or Lophomyrtus plus the hybrid form Lophomyrtus x ralphii and its ever increasing range of cultivars. These plants come from New Zealand and are borderline tender. They can be grown as shrubs or trees. Their foliage is very beautiful and striking with very shiny, often small rounded leaves that come in a great range of colours, the colours changing with the seasons, and many forms have striking variegation. The foliage range covers red, purple, black, yellow, pink, cream, orange and green. There are small flowers, usually pink, and there may be red or black berries. The big drawback is their tender constitution and it may be necessary to prune them to moderate heights so that, if grown in a container, they can be moved into a sheltered position for winter.
- Flower colour
- Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green, Pink, Purple, Red, Silver
- Fruit colour
- Black, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Cube, Dome
- Height
- 0.3m – 8m
- Spread
- 1.2m – 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Shady court, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural
- 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.
Found in
More Lophomyrtus
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
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Pixie'
Ralph's pixie myrtle