Purple Hopbush

A shrub from New Zealand and other arid and coastal regions, Dodonaea viscosa Purpurea is only for warm or coastal sites, unless it’s grown in a pot and can be overwintered in a frost-free greenhouse. It’s a tall, vigorous, evergreen shrub with a dense, almost columnar habit when young, becoming more spreading as it matures. The leaves are almost oblong, with irregular, wavy edges, and a beautiful purple-bronze colour, turning reddish-purple in the colder months. Purple hopbush bears little, insignificant, green and pink flowers, rather like hops, in summer, which are followed by winged seed capsules. Pinch out the tips of young branches to promote a dense, busy shape. Tolerates drought once established.

Site: Sheltered; tolerates coastal sites
Soil: Any moist but well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year, especially summer and autumn
Hardiness: Frost-hardy (to -5ºC)
Height: up to 16’ (5m) Spread: up to 10’ (3m)