Lemon & Lime Mirror Bush

Lemon & Lime Mirror Bush (Coprosma 'Lemon & Lime') is a compact evergreen shrub that reaches about 1.2m tall and wide. The small, very glossy leaves blend green and gold, take on splashes of red in winter, and are neat enough for tidy clipping. It is a sterile cultivar, so it does not set seed and spread.

Why you'll love it

• Colour in every season. Green and gold leaves look bright all year, and cold weather adds splashes of red in winter.
• Mirror-bright foliage. The small rounded leaves are so glossy that the common name of mirror bush is well earned.
• Clips beautifully. Tiny leaves and a tight habit suit low hedges and topiary, but it also looks good left to grow with a yearly tidy.
• No self-seeding. A sterile cultivar that does not spread by seed.
• Adaptable. It grows in clay or sandy soil, is happy at the coast, and low in water needs once mature.

Where it works best

Low hedges. Plant 60cm apart in a single row. The shrubs meet into a colourful hedge about 1.2m high and wide, which clips into formal lines.

Topiary and shaping. Small leaves hold a clipped ball, cube or cloud well, and the colour reads clearly even when it is cut tight.

Pots and feature planting. Use it in a pot beside a door or among green foliage, where its yellow tones brighten the planting.

Growing Lemon & Lime Mirror Bush in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in full sun to part shade. It is happy at the coast, and mature plants can survive a light frost, though young plants and cold exposed sites need protection. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens.

Soil. Plant in well drained soil. It copes with both clay and sandy soils, so long as water does not sit around the roots.

Water and feed. Water young plants regularly until established. Older plants have low water needs and are drought tolerant. Fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in autumn.

Pruning. Prune to maintain shape and compact growth, as often as you want a formal hedge. If you prefer a relaxed look, leave it alone and give it one annual tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Lemon & Lime Mirror Bush as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tube stock is the economical way to plant a hedge, while the potted packs start with a fuller plant. Expect small, glossy plants on arrival that settle quickly in warm soil.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best hedging plants
• Plants for topiary and shaping
• Plants for pots
• Creating a hedge and keeping it sharp

Common questions

Will it seed around the garden?

No. This is a sterile cultivar that does not self-seed, so it will not spread into the garden or bush.

Why do the leaves turn red in winter?

Cool weather brings reddish tones to the green and gold foliage. It is normal, and it fades again as the weather warms.

Can I clip it into shapes?

Yes. The small leaves suit tidy clipping, topiary and low hedges. Prune to maintain shape and compact growth.