Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

corokia chocolate

Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', commonly called corokia chocolate, brings unique character and colour to New Zealand gardens. This stunning evergreen shrub is prized for its chocolate-tinted foliage, giving landscapes a subtle richness that is rare among native plants. With its intricate, wiry branches and showy, frosted leaves, corokia chocolate offers year-round visual interest and thrives in a variety of garden settings. Whether you're looking for a feature shrub, a stylish hedge, or texture for mixed borders, this Korokio adds depth and drama—with very little fuss.

Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'

Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', commonly known as Korokio, is a hardy, NZ native shrub with lovely foliage and an interesting form. It grows as a mass of wiry, tangled, silver-grey branches carrying small, brown-green leaves. Small, star-like, mildly fragrant, yellow flowers are produced in summer and followed by small, red-orange berries. This evergreen typically grows to 2 metres tall and 1 metre wide, and can be trimmed as necessary. Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' is commonly trimmed into a hedge but works well in mixed plantings, used as a backdrop for smaller plants, or planted to border an entrance.

Corokia Frosted Chocolate showcasing its lush green and brown foliage.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Shrubs
  • Height:
    2.00 m
  • Spread:
    1.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
  • Garden uses:
    Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Topiary
  • Garden styles:
    Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
Most Popular

Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

From$22.88
Small Corokia 'Bronze King' plants with colourful, bronze-coloured foliage.
Most Popular

Corokia 'Bronze King'

Corokia 'Bronze King' is a handsome, NZ native shrub featuring bronze-dark green foliage that deepens in colour through winter. Small and yellow...

From$22.88
A large Corokia 'Mangatangi' hedge.
Most Popular

Corokia 'Mangatangi'

Corokia 'Mangatangi' is a NZ native shrub that features fine, silver coloured foliage which gives the plant a somewhat misty look. It is adorned with...

From$22.88
Corokia 'Sunsplash' shrub with yellow foliage in a garden.
Most Popular

Corokia 'Sunsplash'

Corokia 'Sunsplash' is a NZ native shrub grown for its impressive foliage. It features small leaves that are variegated yellow with a central splash...

From$22.88
Corokia 'Emerald and Jade' plants with lush green foliage.
Most Popular

Corokia Emerald And Jade

Corokia 'Emerald and Jade' is a hardy, NZ native shrub grown for its lovely foliage and interesting form. It grows as a mass of wiry, tangled...

From$22.88
Griselinia Broadway Mint hedge with lush, green foliage.
Most Popular

Griselinia 'Broadway Mint'

Griselinia Broadway Mint, commonly known as NZ Broadleaf, is a fast-growing, evergreen New Zealand native shrub prized for its dense, glossy...

From$16.13
Euonymus 'Emerald Gem' small hedge with dense green foliage.
Most Popular

Euonymus 'Emerald Gem'

Euonymus 'Emerald Gem' is a hardy, evergreen shrub admired for its dense, compact form and glossy dark green foliage. With its neat rounded shape, it...

From$24.23
viburnum-davidii-female--2
Most Popular

Viburnum davidii (female)

This female variety of Viburnum is a popular evergreen shrub due to its lovely foliage and showy flowers. Pink flower buds open to reveal showy...

From$26.93
camellia-japonica-mark-alan-
Most Popular

Camellia 'Mark Alan'

Camellia 'Mark Alan' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its elegant rose pink blooms and glossy dark green foliage. This beautiful camellia...

From$33.68
Abelia grandiflora plants with white flowers and fine, green foliage.
Most Popular

Abelia grandiflora

Abelia grandiflora, commonly known as Glossy Abelia, produces masses of mauve and white flowers in clusters throughout summer. The foliage comprises...

From$24.23
Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Corokia or Evergreen Shrubs.

Search Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate'

Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' Features

Corokia chocolate stands out thanks to its unusual leaf colouring—a blend of deep chocolate brown and soft silvery frosting. In late spring, it bursts into star-shaped yellow flowers, followed by bright red berries in autumn, adding seasonal appeal. Growing to around 1.5 metres, it’s a manageable size for urban gardens and larger sections alike. Its dense, twiggy growth makes it ideal for privacy borders or as a windbreak, while the foliage remains resilient against New Zealand’s changing weather.

Ideal Uses in NZ Gardens

Corokia chocolate is a favourite for contemporary garden design. Its sleek appearance suits both native and mixed plantings, and it pairs well with other corokia varieties or contrasting evergreens. Try it as a striking background for flowering shrubs like Abutilon 'Alba' or next to the vibrant leaves of Ixora Prince Of Orange. Corokia chocolate is also valued for hedging, as its foliage forms a dense, tidy screen with minimal trimming. For a softer look, integrate with Buxus 'Curly Locks' (Chinese Box Plant) or native companions like Hebe albicans.

Planting and Care Tips

This resilient Korokio prefers well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to part shade. Once established, corokia chocolate is drought tolerant and copes well with coastal winds and light frosts. Plant in groups for hedging or scatter among other natives for an informal, textural garden. Water young plants regularly and mulch the base to retain moisture. Pruning is only required to shape the plant or maintain hedges.

Explore Other Corokia Varieties

If you love the look of corokia chocolate, explore more of the distinctive Corokia family. For lush green foliage, try Corokia 'Geenty's Green' or the shimmering tones of Corokia Emerald And Jade. Add bronze accents with Corokia Bronze King or check out Corokia Mangatangi for tough, architectural form. The bright highlights of Corokia Sunsplash bring a splash of yellow and cream to any planting scheme.

Companion Planting Ideas

For those designing a layered garden, consider pairing corokia chocolate with low-growing flowering shrubs such as Cuphea Tiny Mice or mix with bold natives and evergreens for variety and depth. By selecting complementary shapes and colours, you can create a visually engaging and low-maintenance outdoor space.

Transform your garden with the unique hues and hardy nature of corokia chocolate. This plant is a true standout—both as a feature and alongside other New Zealand favourites.


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.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews