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corokia virgata

Corokia virgata is a standout native New Zealand shrub, loved for its striking zigzag branches, fine foliage, and resilience. Often called "wire netting bush," Corokia virgata brings year-round structure and subtle texture to gardens of any style. Its small, silver-green leaves, clusters of bright yellow star-shaped flowers in spring, and red berries make it an attractive choice for hedging, topiary, or as a feature plant. Requiring minimal maintenance and highly tolerant of wind, salt, and dry soils, this hardy shrub thrives across a range of New Zealand conditions, including exposed coastal sites and urban gardens.

Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex virgata

5 from 3 customers

Carex virgata, commonly known as Swamp Sedge, is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that thrives in wetlands, damp soils, and along waterways. It forms dense clumps of upright green foliage, making it excellent for stabilising soil and providing habitat for wildlife. With its resilience, low maintenance needs, and ecological value, Swamp Sedge is widely used in riparian planting, restoration projects, and naturalistic NZ gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Corokia 'Sunsplash' shrub with yellow foliage in a garden.

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 of green and has orange-pink undertones. Small, star-shaped, yellow flowers are produced in summer and are followed by orange berries in autumn as it grows to 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide. Corokia 'Sunsplash' is commonly trimmed into a hedge but also makes a great addition to a mixed planting. It is also well suited for growing on those difficult to grow sites where a bright and cheerful plant is required.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Rock
Corokia 'Emerald and Jade' plants with lush green foliage.
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...

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Corokia 'Geentys Giant' green leaves.
Corokia 'Geenty's Giant'

Corokia 'Geenty's Giant' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears green-yellow foliage held densely on slender, upright branches. Masses of small...

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Small Corokia 'Bronze King' plants with colourful, bronze-coloured foliage.
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...

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Corokia contoneaster shrub.
Corokia cotoneaster

Corokia cotoneaster, commonly known as the Wire-Netting Bush, features tough, dark stems that give the plant an appearance akin to wire mesh. This NZ...

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corokia-pounamu-
Corokia Pounamu

Corokia Pounamu is a NZ native shrub featuring narrow, olive-green foliage. New foliage has a layer of felt on the underside of the leaves which...

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Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
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...

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corokia-geentys-ghost-1
Corokia 'Geentys Ghost'

Corokia 'Geenty's Ghost' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that grows as a mass of wiry and tangled branches bearing small, dark green leaves with a silver...

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Corokia Frosted Chocolate showcasing its lush green and brown foliage.
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...

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Corokia cheesemanii shrub with grey-green foliage growing in a border garden.
Corokia cheesemanii

Corokia cheesemanii is a hardy, NZ native shrub that grows with a bushy habit and features attractive, olive green-silver foliage. The small leaves...

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A large Corokia 'Mangatangi' hedge.
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...

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Baeckea virgata compacta shrub with masses of white flowers.
Baeckea virgata compacta

Baeckea virgata compacta, commonly known as the Dwarf Baeckea, is a small, Australian native shrub. It features masses of elegant, white flowers...

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Baeckea virgata shrub with white flowers and elegant green foliage.
Baeckea virgata

Baeckea virgata, commonly known as the Twiggy Heath Myrtle, is an elegant, Australian native shrub. It features masses of pretty, white flowers...

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Corokia 'Red Wonder' shrub with green foliage and red berries.
Corokia 'Red Wonder'

Corokia 'Red Wonder' is a NZ native shrub featuring narrow, olive-green foliage. New foliage has a layer of felt which gives the plant an overall...

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Corokia 'Yellow Wonder' shrub in a garden.
Corokia 'Yellow Wonder'

Corokia 'Yellow Wonder' is an evergreen, NZ native shrub grown for its foliage, flowers, and berries. It features small and glossy, dark green leaves...

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Corokia 'Little Prince' plants with grey stems and small green leaves at The Plant Company nursery.
Corokia 'Little Prince'

Corokia 'Little Prince' is a small and twiggy, NZ native shrub that features small, grey-brown leaves and black stems. The slim, intertwined stems...

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Corokia 'Clover' trimmed into a hedge.
Corokia Clover

Corokia 'Clover' is a NZ native shrub featuring small, fresh-green foliage. New foliage has a layer of felt on the underside of the leaves, which...

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corokia-blackberry-and-lime-
Corokia 'Blackberry and Lime'

Corokia Blackberry & Lime is a hardy NZ native shrub grown for its lovely foliage and interesting form. It grows as a mass of wiry, tangled branches...

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Corokia Silver Ghost plant with silver foliage.
Corokia 'Silver Ghost'

Corokia 'Silver Ghost' is a striking evergreen New Zealand shrub admired for its fine silver grey foliage, distinctive branching, and naturally...

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A Corokia 'Baby Prince' shrub with masses of red berries and tangled foliage.
Corokia 'Baby Prince'

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

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corokia-phantom-1
Corokia 'Phantom'

Corokia 'Phantom' is a distinctive evergreen New Zealand shrub valued for its fine branching habit, attractive silver grey foliage, and naturally...

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Corokia buddleioides shrub in a native garden.
Corokia buddleioides

Corokia buddleioides is a unique and hardy New Zealand native shrub characterised by its soft, green, elongated leaves. It forms a dense, upright...

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Corokia macrocarpa shrub with green foliage and yellow flowers.
Corokia macrocarpa

Corokia macrocarpa is a NZ native shrub that features glossy, sage-green leaves which are silvery beneath. Masses of small, yellow flowers are...

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corokia-pipsqueak-1
Corokia 'Pipsqueak'

Corokia 'Pipsqueak' is a compact evergreen New Zealand shrub prized for its dense branching, small grey green foliage, and naturally tidy growth. Its...

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corokia-tutti-frutti-
Corokia 'Tutti Frutti'

Corokia 'Tutti Frutti' is a colourful evergreen New Zealand shrub valued for its compact growth, fine branching, and vibrant berries that provide...

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Olearia virgata shrub in a coastal environment.
Olearia virgata (Daisy Bush)

Olearia virgata, commonly known as Twiggy Tree Daisy, is a hardy New Zealand native shrub valued for its fine, twiggy growth habit. This evergreen...

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Carex virgata

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, and Corokia, or related Categories - Grasses, and Evergreen Shrubs.

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Why Grow Corokia virgata?

Gardeners choose Corokia virgata for its unique form and versatility. Its flexible, wiry stems and foliage create an architectural look, perfect for formal clipped hedges or naturalistic wildlife gardens. The dense growth makes it an effective privacy screen or shelterbelt, while its spring flowers attract beneficial pollinators such as bees. The long-lasting crimson berries add visual interest and supply food sources for birds into winter months. Whether planted en masse or as a striking specimen, Corokia virgata blends ornamental appeal with practical benefits.

How to Grow Corokia virgata

Corokia virgata is exceptionally hardy and easy to grow. It prefers full sun to part shade, and is unfussy about soil types as long as drainage is good. Once established, it’s tolerant of drought and coastal winds, making it ideal for tough sites. Space plants 60–90cm apart for hedging, or use as individual accents among natives or exotics. Prune after flowering in late spring to maintain shape, or leave untrimmed for a more natural effect. A layer of mulch will suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture, but this shrub generally requires minimal ongoing care.

Creative Landscaping Uses

Corokia virgata is commonly grown as a formal or informal hedge, giving clear boundaries and shelter while contributing fine-tuned beauty to garden designs. It also works well as an evergreen screen around patios or property lines. In mixed shrub borders, try pairing Corokia virgata with the luminous tones of Corokia Yellow Wonder or the striking foliage of Corokia Sunsplash for seasonal contrast and interest. For garden diversity, consider incorporating Baeckea virgata or Baeckea virgata compacta nearby—they complement Corokia's airy texture and offer different flower and foliage features.

Corokia virgata Varieties and Companions

There are several cultivated forms of Corokia, each offering unique foliage or berry colour. If you love Corokia virgata, try Corokia Red Wonder for vibrant red berries, or the gold-edged leaves of Corokia Yellow Wonder. Mixing these varieties can extend seasonal interest and enrich habitat for wildlife. For low-growing companions, Baeckea virgata compacta is a compact, easy-care shrub perfect for borders and groundcover.

Shop Corokia virgata and More

Bring enduring structure and native beauty into your landscape with Corokia virgata. Whether creating a robust hedge, delicate topiary, or wildlife-friendly garden, this adaptable New Zealand shrub is a reliable performer for gardeners of all skill levels. Pair it with other standout natives like Corokia Sunsplash, Corokia Red Wonder, or Baeckea virgata for a layered, varied garden all year round.


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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 spotlight often lands on Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' and Gardenia 'Veitchii', but Rhopalostylis sapida, Malus Snowbright, and Fraxinus Purple Spire deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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