Plant Finder

shrub

Copperhead Copper Plant

Acalypha wilkesiana 'Copperhead'

Add To My Wish List

 
Copperhead Copper Plant (Acalypha wilkesiana 'Copperhead') at Ellis Home & Garden

Copperhead Copper Plant foliage

Copperhead Copper Plant foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  5 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  9

Other Names:  Copperleaf, Jacob's Coat, Wilkes' Acalypha

Brand:  Hort Couture

Description:

This impressive variety displays densely arranged, large glossy leaves in shades of copper, salmon red, and burgundy with dark bronze highlights; a stunning accent for the garden or patio containers

Ornamental Features

Copperhead Copper Plant has attractive burgundy-variegated salmon foliage with hints of dark brown which emerges coppery-bronze in spring on a plant with an upright spreading habit of growth. The large serrated heart-shaped leaves are highly ornamental and remain salmon throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Copperhead Copper Plant is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Insects
  • Disease

Copperhead Copper Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting
  • Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Copperhead Copper Plant will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Copperhead Copper Plant makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden  Container  Basket 
Applications
Foliage Color 
Ornamental Features