Red Tip Cocoplum

Red Tip Cocoplum is the standard hedge shrub of south Florida, a dense evergreen selection of the Florida native cocoplum, Chrysobalanus icaco 'Red Tip'. New growth emerges burgundy red before hardening to glossy dark green, and the rounded, leathery leaves shear cleanly. Plant it in full sun to light shade in sand or clay, acidic or alkaline. It likes steady moisture, handles moderate drought once established, and is hardy in USDA zones 10a to 11; leaves show minor damage near 32 degrees F and stems are injured near 28. Unpruned, this inland form reaches 15 to 25 feet, but it takes repeated shearing well. White flowers peak in late spring, followed by edible oblong purple fruit through summer that birds eat and that makes jelly. 'Red Tip' is less salt tolerant than the coastal 'Horizontal' form, so keep it back from direct salt spray.