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Corokia spp.
Korokio
New Zealand and nearby South Pacific islands
Overview
Corokia spp. is a genus of about six species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the family Argophyllaceae, native to New Zealand and a few outlying Pacific islands. Several species, notably C. cotoneaster, the wire-netting bush, have stiff, dark, zigzagging interlaced branches that form a tangled, divaricating framework, a growth pattern common in the New Zealand flora. Across the genus, plants range from low shrubs about 3 feet (1 m) tall to small trees near 20 feet (6 m), with a spread of 3 to 10 feet (1 to 3 m). The small leaves, 0.3 to 3 inches (1 to 8 cm) long depending on species, are often dark green above and silvery-white and felted beneath. In spring the branches carry small, scented, yellow star-shaped flowers about 0.4 inch (10 mm) across, followed by rounded orange to red berries. Plants grow on coastal cliffs, forest margins, and rocky ground, tolerating wind, salt, and dry spells. The dense, wiry kinds clip well for hedging and topiary, though the divaricating forms grow slowly.
Native Range
Native to New Zealand, including the main islands and the Chatham Islands, with related species on a few South Pacific islands.Suggested Uses
Grown as evergreen hedging, screens, topiary, and container plants, and the wiry kinds add structure to coastal and gravel gardens. The berries feed birds in autumn.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 20'
Width/Spread3' - 10'
Bloom Information
Small yellow star-shaped flowers open in spring, scattered along the branches and lightly scented. Bloom lasts several weeks. Rounded orange to red berries develop through summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Dark green above, silvery beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to part shade on freely draining soils with pH from 5.5 to 7.5. Water needs are low to medium, and established plants tolerate wind, coastal salt, and short dry spells. The genus is moderately frost-tolerant, hardy in roughly USDA zones 8 to 10. Dense wiry species respond well to clipping for hedges and shaped forms. Growth of the divaricating kinds is slow, so shaping takes patience.Pruning
Plants tolerate regular clipping and can be kept as hedges, screens, or topiary, trimmed in spring and summer. Untrimmed plants keep a naturally tangled outline. Old or congested stems can be thinned to open the framework.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons