Coprosma Lobster

Coprosma ‘Lobster’

Common Names: Lobster Coprosma, Red-Margined Coprosma
Family: Rubiaceae
Origin: New Zealand (cultivar)
Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Foliage Plant

Overview:

Coprosma ‘Lobster’ is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vivid, glossy foliage featuring bright red to burgundy margins around green or bronzy central leaves. Its year-round colour and naturally compact habit make it a fantastic choice for borders, containers, or adding a pop of colour to native or modern garden designs. It’s also hardy, wind-tolerant, and well-suited to coastal conditions.

Key Features:

• Foliage: Glossy, oval leaves with intense red to burgundy margins, intensifying in cooler months

• Flowers / Fruit: Small, insignificant flowers; may produce small blue or orange berries

• Form & Habit: Dense, rounded, bushy shrub with tidy growth

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Cultural & Ecological Value: Bright colour contrast in native plantings; bird-friendly if fruiting

Mature Size:

Ideal Growing Conditions:

Landscaping & Garden Uses:

• Colourful low hedging or borders

• Accent shrub in native or mixed plantings

• Coastal and dry gardens

• Container plant for patios and entryways

• Year-round interest in modern or structured landscapes

Care & Maintenance:

• Pruning: Light trim in late winter or early spring to shape and promote bushiness

• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water regularly in dry spells during establishment

• Feeding: Use a general-purpose or native fertiliser in spring

• Pests & Diseases: Low-maintenance; may occasionally attract scale or aphids in poor conditions

• Additional Tips: Foliage colour is brightest in full sun and cooler temperatures

Fun Fact / Botanical Insight:

Coprosmas are often called "mirror plants" due to their glossy, reflective foliage. The intense colouring in cultivars like ‘Lobster’ comes from selective breeding for vibrant leaf margins.

Why Choose Coprosma ‘Lobster’?

Coprosma ‘Lobster’ adds year-round vibrancy and structure to the garden with minimal effort. Its bold, red-edged foliage stands out in mass plantings or as a feature shrub, especially in colder months when colour is most appreciated. Tough, tidy, and drought-hardy — a designer favourite for good reason.