Unknown (probably?) small shrub.

[Lvandelft]

This week a friend brought some branches of this plant with the question for the name,
He told me it forms a nice mound of ? 40 cms. The branches are full of little buds and hardly visible tiny flowers.
Hopefully somebody on the Forum knows what it is??

[fleurbleue]

Haloragis Wellington Bronze, I think 

[Lvandelft]

Thank you very much, Nicole.
I googled a little about this plant and presume now that it is no shrub but a ?tender? perennial from New Zealand.
I wonder how hardy it is in our climate?

[ChrisB]

Luit,

I got this plant many years ago, it self seeds around but isn't a nuisance for me, coming back year after year in my gravel.  Its always been hardy here, down to minus 10 two years ago.  The one I have has more distinct bronze foliage than the example shown.  Pleasant little plant....

[Paul T]

Luit,

It does well for me here in Canberra as well.  Lovely bronze colour to it, and so far the original plant is about 4 years old with no problems.  Occasional seedlings, but no problem at all.  Great plant.

[Lvandelft]

Chris and Paul,
Thank you both for the information. I presume that this is such a plant where the stock plant will die with lower temps but young seedlings have the ability to survive these temps. Where my friend gardens is in the Eastern part of Holland where in winter more often the temps in winter go down to – 15C and – 20C for several times. So he’ll  better keep some stock inside in winter

[Brian Ellis]

I presume that this is such a plant where the stock plant will die with lower temps but young seedlings have the ability to survive these temps.

I think you are quite correct Luit, I did not see my plant last spring but ther are now seedlings around again - phew!

[Lesley Cox]

Yes 'Wellington Bronze' is, I gather a selection and seedlings will vary. I think it was bred at the Otari Native Plant Reserve at Wellington. Or maybe not bred specifically but just a nice form turned up in a batch of seedlings. I've never had it.