Lophomyrtus

( loh - foh - MIR - tiss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen shrubs, commonly called New Zealand Myrtle or Ramarama, needs full sun to partial shade and moderate to regular water to grow well. They are native to New Zealand, and are known for their attractive foliage and colorful new growth.

Lophomyrtus Species and Varietals

The genus Lophomyrtus was first described in 1941, and is a close relative (and looks similar to) another native Australian genus of shrubs, Lenwebbia. It is a member of the plant family Myrtaceae. The genus contains only two species (Lophomyrtus bullata and Lophomyrtus obcordata), and a third variety that is a hybrid between the other two. The ideal growing zones for these shrubs varies depending on the species. ​See the descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Lophomyrtus x ralphii
This hybrid species grows best in zones 8-9 and 14-24. It reaches 6-15 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide, with dark green leaves and small white summertime flowers that are followed by dark berries. This hybrid can be pruned into a tree or used as a hedge, making it a very versatile choice for a garden. Stems are popular inclusions in cut flower arrangements. Varieties are listed below; those with colored leaves are more vibrant when planted in full sun.
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Kathryn'
Grows to 6-8 feet tall and has glossy maroon leaves.
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Lilliput'
Compact variety that reaches just 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves on this variety are bronze-colored.
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Red Dragon'
To 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide, this selection has reddish-pink leaves that turn red in cooler temperatures.
Lophomyrtus x ralphii 'Sundae'
This variety grows to be 8-12 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide, and has glossy green leaves flushed with red-burgundy, edged in creamy yellow.

Caring for and pruning Lophomyrtus shrubs

These shrubs prefer to be planted in either full sun or partial shade. The best exposure for these plants is morning sun and afternoon shade; sunlight that is too hot can scorch the leaves. Ensure that the soil is well-draining before planting, and water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. Fertilize Lophomyrtus plants with a water-soluble balanced fertilizer during their active growing season (spring through the early months of fall) on a monthly basis. Pruning is simple on these beautiful shrubs; trim back leggy or overgrown branches in springtime. When new growth begins to appear and you'd like to encourage a more bushy habit with thicker foliage, pinch the tips of branches back. 

Propagation

Lophomyrtus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Lophomyrtus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Lophomyrtus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
  2. Harvest your seeds. After flowers fade, berries will form in their place and just as they turn ripe is when you want to collect them and remove the seeds.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually occurs in the following springtime. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
The seeds on these shrubs are found inside the berries that the plant produces.
Lophomyrtus seeds.

Problems and Pests

Although these shrubs are considered easy to care for and resistant to most pests and diseases, it is still a good practice to look out for:
  • Aphids
  • Spider Mites
  • Mealy Bugs
For more information on these issues, including how to eradicate and prevent them, see the following links:
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Gallery

The flowers on these shrubs are white and have many protruding stamens.
These shrubs add wintertime color to otherwise drab off-season gardens.
Grow Lophomyrtus as a hedge; it is a great alternative to Buxus.

Videos

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Resources

Lophomyrtus Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Lophomyrtus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 422, Lophomyrtus x ralphii
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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