A chocolate palette
Khaki, bronze and chestnut-red tones create depth and warm tonal variation within the evergreen crown.
Coprosma ‘Chocolate Soldier’ 3lt
Normal price
€13,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Coprosma ‘Chocolate Soldier’
Chocolate-toned and dangerously attractive 🔥
- Glossy chocolate foliage
- Compact rounded crown
- Deeper tones in cool weather
- For mild sheltered positions
Coprosma ‘Chocolate Soldier’ brings warm shades of chocolate, copper and khaki to the garden through small, glossy leaves. Light catches their surfaces and reveals different tones within the dense evergreen crown. Its upright, rounded outline adds depth beside brighter foliage and makes a distinctive container plant near an entrance. Rich colour and the gleam of individual leaves keep the display interesting between the flowering seasons of its neighbours.
As a single container specimen, beside an entrance or within mixed planting, it acts as a dark colour anchor that makes gold, silver and vivid green foliage look brighter. It is an excellent designer’s plant, yet has more than enough personality to stand completely on its own.
What makes it special
Colour, gloss and compact structure make it a consistent focal point.
Natural gloss
The smooth waxy leaf surface reflects light and makes the darker tones look vivid.
A compact silhouette
Dense branching builds a rounded volume and accepts light tip-pruning when the outline becomes untidy.
Why you will love it: it delivers a deep glossy palette and a crisp evergreen form without visual clutter.
In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsFor a bright, mild and sheltered position with freely draining soil.
A chocolate focal point
Place it against pale stone, timber or metal so the chocolate gloss stands out. Good light deepens the tones.
Where frost occurs, keep it in a movable pot and bring it into shelter before severe cold. Protect it from cold, drying wind.
Combinations that work
Chocolate foliage stands out beside silver, green and copper. Give Helichrysum a separate, drier watering zone and keep the group sheltered from severe frost.
- Helichrysum italicum — adds silver aromatic texture and crisp contrast with the gloss
- Pittosporum tobira ‘Nanum’ — provides a rounded deep-green mass with compatible light and moderate watering
- Carex testacea — adds copper linear movement and shares a preference for mild coastal conditions
Care at a glance
Light
Sun to partial shade; more light deepens the colour.
Watering
Water moderately when the upper layer has dried, with full drainage.
Climate & hardiness
Sensitive to severe frost; shelter below 0 °C is prudent in a pot.
Safety
Keep it as an ornamental plant; do not consume and keep away from pets that chew plants.
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, free-draining soil, moderate watering, light pruning and frost protection.
Light
Provide abundant light. Some shade helps in extreme afternoon heat, but deep shade weakens the colour.
Watering
Water deeply and repeat when the upper layer has dried. Do not keep the root zone continuously wet.
Soil
Use a fertile organic but freely draining mix with neutral to slightly acidic pH.
Feeding
A balanced feed in spring and again in early summer supports healthy new growth.
Pruning
Tip-prune lightly whenever the outline becomes untidy. Avoid heavy pruning close to cold weather.
Winter
Before frost, move the pot beside a wall or into a bright frost-free position and reduce watering.
Development over timeFrom bronze new growth to deep chocolateTones deepen with light and cooler seasons while the crown gradually fills.
Adjustment
After repotting, a short pause may precede steady new growth.
Colour phases
Young shoots begin lighter, then acquire khaki, bronze and chocolate depth.
Mature crown
Light tip-pruning maintains the outline and encourages dense side growth.
Mature habit & dimensions
Established plantHeight 1.2 mSpread 1 m
Both views retain leaves on opposite shoots; fresh extension opens around the perimeter.
Form through time
Seasonal or developmental viewsFresh extension
Hardened foliage
What to expect after planting: a steadily fuller crown and darker tones as the plant receives sufficient light.
History & originCultivar originIn the Duncan & Davies catalogues of 1977.
Coprosma ‘Chocolate Soldier’ was already being grown by the historic Duncan & Davies nursery in New Zealand in 1977. The March catalogue offered it as a male selection, while the August catalogue described its rich chocolate-bronze foliage and upright growth.
The original selector and the year in which the cultivar arose remain unknown. The two 1977 entries nevertheless preserve a specific picture of its early commercial presence: an upright, dark-leaved evergreen shrub with the qualities that still distinguish it today.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Male flowers without fruit
Coprosma ‘Chocolate Soldier’ is a male selection. Its flowers produce pollen, while fleshy fruit develops on female plants of the genus. A female plant nearby cannot turn its own male flowers into fruit.
Stipules between the leaf stalks
Small interpetiolar stipules sit between the stalks of the opposite leaves. These structures at the node differ morphologically from a new leaf or lateral bud and help identify the genus.
Frequently asked questions
Six practical answers about position, watering and long-term growth.
01How does the chocolate colour deepen?
Abundant light and cool nights strengthen it; deep shade makes it greener.
02Is it suitable for a pot?
Yes, provided it drains freely and can be moved into shelter when frost is forecast.
03How often should it be watered?
It depends on light, wind and season. Water when the upper layer has dried.
04Is it frost hardy?
Not against severe or prolonged frost. Protect it in very cold weather.
05Does it need pruning?
Only light tip-pruning to maintain its compact rounded form.
06Can it produce berries?
No. ‘Chocolate Soldier’ is a male selection whose flowers produce pollen. A female Coprosma nearby will not make this plant produce fruit.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.