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Products > Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold'   Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold' - Gold Splash Mirror Plant     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Shrub Family: Rubiaceae (Madders) Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Variegated Foliage: Yes Flower Color: Insignificant Bloomtime: Not Significant Synonyms: [Coprosma baueri, C. repens 'Gold Splash'] Height: 3-5 feet Width: 4-6 feet Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade Seaside: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold' (Gold Splash Mirror Plant) - A medium sized compact evergreen shrub to 4 feet tall and wide with rounded shiny green leaves that are variegated along the leaf margins with vibrant yellow; particularly showy in fall and winter months. Except near the coast, where it can take full sun, Coprosma repens does best in part sun or light shade in warmer climates where it performs best in a well-drained soil with regular to occasional irrigation but is fairly drought tolerant once established. Cold tolerant down to about 18 to 20 degrees F. A great plant to brighten up the outdoor landscape and particularly useful in coastal gardens where it tolerates wind and salt spray. In can also be used in bright areas as an interior house plant. This plant originated at Graeme Platt's nursery in Albany New Zealand. It was a variegated seedling selected form found amongst a seed crop of otherwise green Coprosma repens seedlings. Platt initially sold as Coprosma repens 'Gold Splash' but it was later renamed to Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold' by Lyndale Nurseries for marketing purposes. It has the reverse variegation from the older cultivar 'Picturata' ('Exotica') that has leaves with green margins and yellow centers. The species, originally discovered by Daniel Solander and Joseph Banks on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand in 1769, while on James Cooks first expedition, grows on coastal rocks, cliffs, coastal forests throughout North Island and along the west coast of South Island as well as on the Kermadec and Three Kings Islands. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'kopros' meaning "dung" and 'osme' meaning "smell" in reference to the foul cabbage like smell produced by methanethiol that is given out when the leaves of some species are crushed. The specific epithet means creeping. Other common names included Taupata, Looking-glass Bush, Shiny Leaf and New Zealand Laurel, a name it shares this with Corynocarpus laevigatus.  This description is based on research and observations of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in our nursery garden and in other gardens that we visit. We also incorporate comments received and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Coprosma repens 'Taupata Gold'.