Lophomyrtus x ralphii Golden dragon®

The Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Golden Dragon' is an interesting evergreen bush for its bright foliage and small size. It is perfect for brightening up a terrace or balcony, or even a bed or border in a mild climate. Compact, dense, nicely rounded, it carries on its red stems small variegated leaves of green and cream yellow that turn orange shades in autumn. Displayed on a terrace well protected from bad weather, it creates a gently exotic atmosphere. In cold climates, it will be grown like a citrus plant, in a pot, to be stored frost-free in winter.

Belonging to the Myrtaceae family, Lophomyrtus × ralphii 'Golden Dragon' is a hybrid originating from New Zealand. It is a small evergreen bush, measuring up to 60 cm high and wide, with a compact and rounded habit. Its small oval, slightly undulate leaves are about 2 to 3 cm long. They are pale green, variegated with golden yellow, with orange and pink hues in autumn, borne on red stems turning mahogany. Subtle, the small 1 cm white flowers that appear in summer, resemble those of the common myrtle: they feature a beautiful cluster of white stamens. They arise in the axils of the leaves, on the shoots of the year. After pollination by bees, small black berries form attracting birds in autumn. The growth of this Lophomyrtus is moderately fast, reaching its adult size in 2 to 5 years. It is a plant for fresh, humus-bearing, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Hardy down to -5 °C, the Lophomyrtus 'Golden Dragon' is a lovely plant for a terrace and orangery in cold climates. In mild climates, especially on the Atlantic coast of our country, it can be used in a bed or in a low hedge. It can be associated with Myrtle 'Tarentina', Leptosmermum 'Snow Flurry', Boronia, and Eriostemon myoporoides.