Coprosma repens
Taupata
Overview
Coprosma repens is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) tall and 4-10 feet (1.2-3 m) wide, often shorter and prostrate on exposed coasts. The thick, leathery leaves are oval to rounded, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, dark green with a high-gloss upper surface that reflects light. Plants are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals; small greenish flowers without showy petals appear in clusters along the stems in spring. Female plants bear oval fleshy fruit about 0.3 inch (8 mm) long that ripen orange-red in late summer and autumn. Growth is fast, and plants respond to clipping by branching densely, which suits hedging. It tolerates salt spray, sandy soils, and strong coastal wind but is damaged by frost below about 27°F (-3°C). In mild, frost-free regions it can self-seed and naturalize, and it is recorded as a weed in parts of coastal Australia and California.
Native Range
Native to New Zealand, where it grows along coastlines on the North Island, the northern South Island, and offshore islands. Found on sea cliffs, dunes, and coastal scrub in sandy and rocky soils exposed to salt wind. Naturalized on parts of the Australian and Californian coasts.Suggested Uses
Used as a coastal hedge, windbreak, and screen, spaced 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) apart for hedging. Suited to seaside gardens and exposed sites where salt and wind limit other plants. Grows in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L) with free-draining mix.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 20'
Width/Spread4' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years
Bloom Information
Small greenish flowers appear in spring, roughly September to November in its native range and March to May in the Northern Hemisphere. The flowers lack petals and are wind-pollinated, with little visual presence. On female plants, fruit follows and ripens orange-red over late summer and autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in free-draining sandy or loamy soil. Water during establishment; established plants tolerate drought, salt spray, and coastal wind. It grows in poor coastal soils without supplementary feeding. Responds to regular clipping by branching densely, which maintains a tight hedge. Scale and sooty mould occur in still, humid conditions. In frost-prone areas foliage is burned below about 27°F (-3°C), and plants are slow to recover.Pruning
Clip from spring through summer to shape hedges and screens; the dense branching tolerates repeated trimming. Cut back hard into older wood in spring to renovate overgrown plants, which reshoot from the base. Remove frost-damaged growth once new shoots appear.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons