A dazzlingly colourful version of the taupata, Coprosma repens, provides year round interest in coastal gardens. It will only tolerate light frosts, but makes a handsome container plant and when grown this way can be positioned where it has protection during winter. It’s amazingly tolerant of coastal winds - after all it’s just a variation on the green leafed taupata which can be seen growing just above the high tide mark on some New Zealand beaches. It’s extremely drought tolerant once established, but will need a bit of watering during the first season if planted in very dry conditions.

Imagine how good it would look at the beach garden, surrounded by bronze foliage grasses, or among blue flowers such as Echiums or Felicias. Also interesting with the deep chocolate colours and smaller foliage of Coprosma ‘Karo Red’ and to mingle with native plants of distinctive form, such as Cordylines, Pseudopanax crassifolius, Coprosma virescens and Corokias. Coprosma ‘Green and Gold’ responds well to clipping and can be trained to form a bright, medium height hedge.