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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.

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 '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 afford an unusual element to this plant. It produces masses of small, yellow flowers in spring which are followed by red berries in autumn as it grows to 3 m tall and 1.5 m wide. Corokia 'Little Prince' clips into an excellent hedge and it perfect for adding contrast and variety to a mixed planting.

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: Hedging, Ponds
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, 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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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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Carex virgata grass plants in pots at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex virgata

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...

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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-pipsqueak-1

Corokia Pipsqueak

Corokia Pipsqueak is a hardy, NZ native shrub grown for its lovely foliage and interesting form. It grows as a mass of wiry, tangled, silver-grey...

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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-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 '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 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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Corokia Sunsplash

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

Search corokia virgata

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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The spotlight often lands on Azara microphylla and Corokia Mangatangi, but Fig 'Brunswick', Grape Steubens, and Leonotis leonurus (Lions Tail Plant) deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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