Copperleaf

This short shrub grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall and lives for around 19 years. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has several narrow, straight stems covered in very thick, cracked, copper-coloured bark, and the wood inside is pale brown.

The branches are very short and thin with dozens of twigs that and are covered with copious amounts of large, very narrow and elongated, leaves with irregular edges. The leaves themselves are either purple or silver, with white dots, resilient and covered in fine hairs.

In early spring it produces many balls of small, aquamarine flowers with spiral shaped petals. They are very delicate and have a strong scent that smells like roses.