Dodonaea viscosa 'Purpurea'

Hop bush, Dodonaea viscosa, is found throughout the world, including tropical and temperate regions of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia. It’s hugely variable, but typically grow as a shrub or small tree, with evergreen, oval leaves and clusters of green-pink summer flowers not unlike hops. In Australia, its flowers were used to make beer by European settlers.

Purple hop bush, Dodonaea viscosa ‘Purpurea’, is a highly ornaments variety with gorgeous purple foliage and red-green flowers. Not fully hardy, grow it in a sunny, sheltered spot, such as against a south- or west-facing wall. It’s well suited to coastal regions and is also suitable for growing in pots, which can be moved under glass in autumn.