Other Names:  Purpureum Kohuhu, Tawhiwhi

Description:

A bushy evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense multi-stemmed habit and attractive burgundy-purple foliage; small clusters of fragrant dark red flowers in spring are visually subtle ; a highly contrasting landscape accent or screen

Ornamental Features

Purple Kohuhu has attractive burgundy foliage with red undersides and tinges of purple which emerges light green in spring on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain burgundy throughout the winter. It features subtle clusters of fragrant dark red flowers with black overtones at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer.

Landscape Attributes

Purple Kohuhu is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Purple Kohuhu is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Purple Kohuhu will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.