Mirror Plant, Looking-glass Bush 'Marble Queen' (Coprosma repens)

Mirror Plant, Looking-glass Bush 'Marble Queen'
Coprosma repens

HI ecrane3,

I'm considering this plant for my backyard to provide some privacy. Our neighbor sold his house and during the process has chopped off a whole bunch of trees leaving the space along the fence pretty bare. On our side of the fence, there's some space where a small tree/shrub can grow and I'm hoping to get something dense up there.The fence is about 6ft tall and this area gets only mild morning sunlight.

The main question is how fast does this plant grow and how well does it compete with adjoining big trees?

Thank you!

Sorry I can't be of too much help--I planted it at my old house shortly before I sold it so I only had it for about 6 months, in which time it didn't grow much (but I planted it in the fall and moved out right at the beginning of summer, so I wouldn't have expected to see a ton of growth). I don't think it will meet your needs though, it only gets about 3 ft tall.

Hmm ... I thought I read in Sunset Gardens that there's a Coprosma species that is a fast grower to about 10ft. Sounds like it's a different one that what you had.

I'll get the exact name and then query here.

BTW: Does anything spring to your mind for my needs?

Thank you!

There might be another one, I'm not that familiar with the genus. The species name "repens" means spreading or creeping, which suggests to me that there are probably other species out there that would get taller, although whether it's enough to meet your needs I don't know.

I'll let you know if I think of anything--honestly most of my yard is full sun so that's the type of things I know the best. You might post on the Trees & Shrubs forum for suggestions and I'll jump in there if I think of anything.

Cool! Thanks again, ecrane3!

Hi ecrane3,

It indeed is C.repens . This is the verbatim text from the Sunset Western Garden Book:

Zones 14-24; H1. Rapid growth to 10ft tall, 6 ft wide; much lower and more compact when subjected to seacoast conditions. Inland, an open, straggly shrub if neglected - but beautiful, dense form if pruned twice yearly. Use as hedge, screen, informal espalier.

Have you seen a fully grown one around here?

Thanks!

prabal

To cover your fence fast and dense, can go for creepers.

Maybe the straight species gets bigger than some of the cultivars. This particular cultivar is only supposed to get 3 ft or so. So I'd shop carefully--make sure if you get a cultivar of C. repens that it's one that'll get the size you need because definitely some of them are on the smaller side.