Coprosma

Nothing quite like that high gloss look, something about it just seems to scream glitz and glamor. In a genus often called mirrorbushes for their sheen this species is particularly shining. Round waxy evergreen leaves with silver undersides and amenable to chopping, making for a cheerful hedge or backdrop. These were grown for the Washington Arb's stellar New Zealand garden where the Coprosmas seem to have withstood an especially harsh recent winter, so while hardiness info is lacking on this rarely seen species it seems likely to stand a decent chance in Zone 8 and up gardens.

An unusual member of this New Zealand endemic genus, shrubby evergreen with extremely fine needle-like foliage that varies in color from dark green to russet tones of gold and brown. The fascinating fruit are sheeny, translucent, pale purple to dark blue berries. Can grow to a dense and yet airily architectural mass of 5ft. Fairly hardy as it hails from sub-alpine zones, should manage alright in Zone 8 and up.