Copperleaf

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 25 years. It is susceptible to disease and destructive insect infestation.

It has numerous wide, straight stems covered in knobbly, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is black with white speckles.

The branches are short and slender with hundreds of twigs that and are covered with thick bunches of small, asymmetrical, leaves with smooth edges. The leaves themselves are either cream, or magenta with bronze splotches, rigid and smooth.

In early spring it produces balls of medium-sized, lime flowers with 4 shield-shaped shaped petals. They are sturdy and have an overpowering scent that smells like an ocean breeze.