Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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coprosma chathamica

Coprosma chathamica is a remarkable New Zealand native shrub that brings unique texture and evergreen beauty to gardens across Aotearoa. Valued for its tolerance of coastal winds, salt spray, and harsh conditions, this hardy plant is an excellent choice for hedges, shelterbelts, and coastal revegetation projects. With lush green foliage and a robust, upright form, Coprosma chathamica not only provides year-round structure but also creates a perfect backdrop for more colourful natives. If you’re searching for a reliable shrub to thrive in challenging locations, Coprosma chathamica deserves a spot in your landscape plan.

Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring. This coastal kōwhai is fast growing, hardy, and highly attractive to native birds such as tūī and kererū. With its lush green foliage and spectacular floral display, Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is perfect for creating a feature tree in NZ gardens. It is well suited to coastal areas and thrives in a range of conditions.

Buy Sophora chathamica

From $358.98

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Parks, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native

Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush)

Coprosma Green Rocks, commonly known as Mirror Bush, is a NZ native shrub that carries glossy green leaves on spreading stems. This evergreen typically grows to 60 cm tall and 1.2 m wide. Coprosma Green Rocks is commonly included in coastal gardens, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, grown around the base of larger trees, or included in a border.

Buy Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush)

From $24.98

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Groundcover Plants

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 1.20 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock

Why Choose Coprosma chathamica for Your Garden?

When designing a garden that can withstand New Zealand’s varied climate, Coprosma chathamica stands out for its adaptability and resilience. Native to the Chatham Islands, this evergreen shrub has developed to handle exposure, making it perfect for coastal properties or sites facing strong winds. Its medium growth habit (typically reaching 3-5 metres tall) means it’s versatile enough for screens, borders, and shelterbelts. The glossy green leaves are not only attractive in their own right, but they also reflect light and add year-round interest to your planting mix.

How to Grow Coprosma chathamica

Coprosma chathamica is easy to establish in most well-draining soils and will tolerate both full sun and partial shade. For the best results, plant in an open position to encourage thick, healthy growth. Once established, Coprosma chathamica is highly drought tolerant, only needing extra water during prolonged dry spells. Pruning can be done after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser foliage, especially if you’re using plants to form a screen or hedge.

Landscaping Ideas Using Coprosma chathamica

This versatile shrub is often used to create living fences, coastal shelterbelts, and wildlife-friendly planting schemes. Pairing Coprosma chathamica with other resilient New Zealand natives enhances biodiversity and visual appeal. For example, incorporating Sophora chathamica (coastal kowhai) will attract native birds, while Coprosma australis (Coprosma grandifolia) adds textural contrast with bold, larger leaves.

Explore Other Coprosma Varieties

If you’re interested in expanding your collection or creating varied textures, there are several other Coprosma varieties worth exploring. Coprosma Green Rocks (Mirror Bush) offers a low-growing option ideal for groundcover, while Coprosma intertexta brings a fine-leaved, delicate structure to your garden. Coprosma Lighthouse is another standout, with striking foliage that makes a bold statement in both formal and informal landscapes.

Coprosma chathamica: A Low-Maintenance, Sustainable Choice

Whether you’re restoring a coastal block, establishing a windbreak, or simply seeking a hardy native shrub, Coprosma chathamica is a practical, attractive solution. Its low-maintenance requirements and resilience to tough conditions make it a favourite among landscapers and home gardeners alike. Explore the range of Coprosma species and discover how these versatile natives can bring structure, style, and sustainability to your New Zealand garden.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.