{"product_id":"coprosma-karo-red","title":"Coprosma 'Karo Red'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaro Red Mirror Bush\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCoprosma repens\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Karo Red' PBR\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eRubiaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNew Zealand (cultivar selection)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen compact shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most visually striking foliage shrubs available for Adelaide gardens, Coprosma repens 'Karo Red' earns its place through sheer year-round drama. Its small, diamond-shaped leaves are an extraordinary combination of vivid emerald green at the centre shading to deep chocolate-red and near-black at the edges, with the intensity of that dark colouring deepening noticeably through autumn and winter to create a genuinely arresting seasonal display.\u003cbr\u003eCompact, naturally tidy and exceptionally hardy, 'Karo Red' thrives in Adelaide's coastal and metropolitan positions with minimal maintenance. It excels in frontline coastal gardens, sunny borders, low hedges and containers, and its outstanding salt and wind tolerance makes it one of the most reliable performers in exposed South Australian positions. A bold, modern foliage plant that works equally well in formal and contemporary garden designs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e0.9–1.5 m H x 0.8–1.2 m W (compact, dense naturally rounded habit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlow to moderate; 15–25 cm per year; naturally compact with minimal trimming required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSmall, glossy diamond-shaped leaves; vivid emerald green centre shading to deep chocolate-red to near-black edges; colour intensifies dramatically in cooler months; highly reflective surface gives the plant its mirror bush common name; evergreen year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSmall, inconspicuous flowers; not ornamentally significant; foliage is the primary feature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNot fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eGlossy bicoloured foliage year-round; dark red-black edge colouring deepens and intensifies through autumn and winter creating the most dramatic display in the cooler months; spring and summer brings fresh new growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDense foliage provides shelter for small birds and beneficial insects\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDrought-tolerant once established; heat-tolerant; frost hardy once mature (tolerates light frost); excellent coastal and salt tolerance (frontline suitable); wind-tolerant; adaptable to most well-drained soils including heavy clay; dislikes waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTight hedge: 2–3 plants per metre (40–50 cm spacing); Standard border: 1–2 plants per metre (60–80 cm spacing); suitable for containers (30 cm+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNo known toxicity to cats or dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFull sun to part shade; full sun produces the most intense dark red foliage colouring; tolerates dappled shade but colour may be less dramatic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWell-drained soils preferred; adaptable to sandy, loamy and clay soils; performs best in light sandy soils but tolerates heavier soils with good drainage; avoid waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: low to moderate water needs; deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer; little to no supplementary watering in cooler months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVery low maintenance; prune lightly to maintain shape and encourage denser growth; feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring and again in autumn; naturally compact habit requires minimal intervention\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLong-lived; 10+ years with good drainage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWell suited to Adelaide's coastal suburbs, metropolitan areas, Fleurieu Peninsula and Yorke Peninsula; excellent performance in exposed coastal positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAdaptable; slightly acidic to neutral preferred; tolerates a range of Adelaide soil types\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrontline coastal garden feature where the glossy dark foliage and exceptional salt tolerance make it one of the toughest and most attractive options available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow formal hedge or border edging where the rich bicoloured foliage provides year-round structure and seasonal colour interest without flowering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold foliage contrast plant paired with silver-grey plants such as Westringia, Leucophyta or Artemisia to maximise the dark-light colour drama\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContemporary and minimalist garden designs where the near-black winter colouring creates architectural impact in beds, borders and containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMass planting for a striking, low-maintenance carpet of rich dark foliage in sunny garden beds and public landscapes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Karo Red' is one of those foliage plants that genuinely surprises people the first time they see it. The glossy, near-black edged leaves with vivid green centres are unlike almost anything else in the garden, and as the weather cools through autumn the colour just keeps deepening. Tough, tidy, coastal-proof and incredibly low maintenance, it is a standout performer for Adelaide gardens at any scale.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48949849456892,"sku":"COPR-KARO-RED-140MM","price":14.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/coprosma-karo-red-140mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1775710063","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/coprosma-karo-red","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}