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Acalypha wilkesiana 'Blaze'

Image of Acalypha wilkesiana 'Blaze'

Carol Cloud Bailey

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Botanical Name

Acalypha wilkesiana 'Blaze'

Plant Common Name

Blaze Copperleaf, Copperplant, Wilkes' Acalypha

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Setting the landscape a-fire in color, copperleaf ‘Blaze’ is a dwarf selection with stunning foliage. The pretty leaves are lance shaped, burgundy over green and the variegated fuchsia margin is toothed. Copperleaf is an evergreen shrub native to the islands of the Pacific. It is a popular landscape plant in warmer climates and used as a houseplant or annual in cooler zones.

Beautiful leaves are the reason copperleaf is so popular. They are usually large, oval to elliptically shaped and alternate each other along sometimes fuzzy stems. The leaves of ‘Blaze’ are smaller matching its overall growth habit. Tiny, inconspicuous, red flowers are produced on thin, hanging spikes called catkins. They are followed by the fruit which is a capsule filled with minuscule hard seeds.

A few copperleafs go a long way in the interior or exterior landscape; their colorful leaves can be overwhelming or gaudy. Use them in small groupings as an accent, focal point or part of a shrub border. Outside plant them in full sun or partial shade; the leaves are more brightly colored when there is a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day. Inside, provide bright light. Plant in fertile soil that is well drained. Though drought tolerant once established regular applications of water are best for good color and growth.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m

  • Width

    3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Melanesia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Insignificant

  • Flower Color

    Red

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green, Pink, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green, Pink, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green, Pink, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green, Pink, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier

    Variegated

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Container, Feature Plant, Hanging Basket, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes