My Back Yard Plants

There's a lovely colour on the copper one.

Hywel,

It's very common for Acalypha species to have highly variegated leaves.

Is it like that all the time then ? I thought it had turned colour because of the time of year. It's very nice.

Hywel:

Thanks!

Yes, it stays this color all year. Acalypha or Copper Leaf shrubs are tropicals native to the South Pacific Islands...they come in many colors. They love high heat and high humidity...and are extremely sensitive to cold or even protracted cool weather.

No good for my garden then.. lol, - but they are lovely

Hywel,

My Acalypha has been in the ground for 2 1/2 years however, it can be grown as an annual if they are available in Wales. : > )

I'll have to look around. I'd like it even as an annual. Thank you .

Hywel:

Good luck finding one. : > )

They are pretty easy to grow from cuttings also.

Love those copper leafs! particularly the "string leaf" ones like Mardi Gras. I use it like Japanese maple in Florida for a kind of red weeping effect. Also the petticoat varieties with ruffly pinked edges like Dragon's Head (? mostly burgundy). They get more color from cooler temps, too. Ah, yes.

Orgratis:

Yes, all those varieties and many more grow here...I've posted several photos of them in the past.

As, far as cooler temps giving them more color...that's not true, they are very tropical in origin and don't like cooler temps. If it's too cool, too long the leaves will start to fall off and they will look very unacttractive.