Wire-netting bush Corokia cotoneaster
ABOUT
C. cotoneaster is a rounded shrub forming a mass of interlaced branches bearing small, dark green leaves and, in spring, clusters of small yellow flowers followed by red or yellow berries
About this plant
NamesFamily
Argophyllaceae.
Synonyms
Wire Netting Bush, Korokio, Twiggy.
Common names
Corokia buddleioides, Corokia cheesemanii, Corokia cotoneaster var. atropurpurea, Corokia cotoneaster var. buchananii, Corokia cotoneaster var. cotoneaster, Corokia macrocarpa, Corokia panniculata, Corokia parvifolia, Corokia virgata.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
3-8 feet (0.9-2.4 meters)
Spread
2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
New Zealand
Benefits
General Benefits- Low Maintenance: Corokia cotoneaster is known for being hardy and requiring minimal care, which makes it an ideal plant for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscaping options.
- Drought Tolerant: It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, meaning it can survive with less frequent watering than many other plants, thereby conserving water resources.
- Ornamental Appeal: With its unique silver-grey foliage and interesting branch structure, this plant adds an aesthetic appeal to gardens and can serve as a striking visual element within landscape designs.
- Attracts Wildlife: Corokia cotoneaster can attract birds that feed on the berries, as well as beneficial insects when in flower, thus contributing to local biodiversity.
- Wind Resistant: The plant's dense branching habit and hardiness make it a suitable choice for coastal or windy areas as it can serve as a windbreak or hedge.
- Privacy Screening: It can be grown as a hedge or screen, offering privacy to gardens and outdoor spaces due to its compact and bushy growth habit.
- Year-Round Interest: The evergreen nature of Corokia cotoneaster ensures that it provides year-round color and texture in the garden, contrary to deciduous plants that lose their leaves in winter.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Privacy Screening: Corokia cotoneaster's dense foliage makes it an excellent natural screen for providing privacy in gardens or on patios.
- Topiary Art: Due to its dense branching pattern, it can be pruned into various shapes, making it useful for topiary art and garden sculptures.
- Windbreak: The sturdy nature of Corokia cotoneaster makes it a good choice for planting as a windbreak in coastal areas or windy sites.
- Coastal Gardens: Its tolerance to salty winds makes it particularly suitable for coastal garden landscapes.
- Bonsai: The plant can be trained as a bonsai, appreciated for its intricate branch structure and silvery foliage.
- Wildlife Garden: The berries of Corokia cotoneaster provide a food source for birds, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens.
- Frosty Aesthetic: The silvery leaves and zig-zag branches can create a striking frost-like appearance in the garden during winter months.
- Garden Contrast: Its unique texture and color can be used to create contrast when planted alongside plants with large, broad leaves or vibrant flowers.
- Floral Arrangements: The branches of Corokia cotoneaster are often used in floral arrangements and bouquets for their distinctive form and lasting qualities.
- Photography Prop: The plant's unique aesthetic makes it an interesting subject for garden and botanical photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Corokia cotoneaster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Corokia cotoneaster is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Survival and Resilience: The Corokia cotoneaster, commonly known as Wire Netting Bush, often grows in tough conditions, symbolizing the ability to survive and thrive even in challenging environments.
- Protection: Its dense, interwoven branches can create a barrier, representing protection and safety.
- Unique Beauty: With its distinctive, zigzagging branches and tiny leaves, the Wire Netting Bush stands for the beauty in uniqueness and the value of standing out from the crowd.
- Ethereal or Otherworldly: The silhouette of the Wire Netting Bush is quite ghostly, especially in winter, symbolizing a connection to the ethereal or otherworldly realms.
- Adaptability: As a plant that can handle a variety of soil types and conditions, the Wire Netting Bush signifies adaptability and versatility.
WaterWire plant, or Corokia cotoneaster, prefers a watering routine that allows the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. It is typically sufficient to water the plant once every week, but during hotter periods, water twice a week, ensuring 1-2 gallons for outdoor plants and 8-16 ounces for indoor pots depending on size, which will keep the soil evenly moist. The method of watering should be to pour water slowly at the base of the plant until it begins to run out of the drainage holes, indicating that the root zone has received adequate moisture.
LightWire plant thrives in bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate partial shade. It is best positioned near a window that receives plenty of light but is shielded from the intense midday sun, which can scorch its leaves. Avoid deep shade, as this can lead to leggy growth.
TemperatureWire plant prefers a temperate climate with a range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand cooler temperatures down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost, which can cause significant damage. The ideal temperature range ensures healthy growth and flowering.
PruningThe wire plant benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage bushier, denser growth. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Cut back any overgrown or dead branches, and trim lightly to shape the plant to your preference. Pruning once a year is generally sufficient.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Wire Netting Bush is well-draining with a mix of potting soil, peat, and perlite or sand. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingWire Netting Bush should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current pot, preferably during spring.
Humidity & MistingWire Netting Bush thrives in moderate to low humidity levels typical of indoor environments; it does not require high humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, sunny to part-shade.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA.
Life cycleCorokia cotoneaster, also known as wire netting bush, begins its life cycle as a seed, often germinating in spring after a winter stratification period. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a juvenile plant with distinctive silver-grey foliage and a zigzag branching pattern. As it enters the vegetative stage, the plant focuses on leaf and stem growth, and once mature enough, it enters the reproductive stage, producing small yellow flowers that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, these flowers develop into small, orange-red berries in the late summer or autumn. The berries then drop or are dispersed by birds, allowing for seed dispersal and the potential for new plants to germinate, completing the life cycle. Throughout its life, the wire netting bush is tolerant of poor soils and coastal conditions, contributing to its survival and spread in suitable habitats.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Corokia cotoneaster, commonly known as Wire Netting Bush, is by semi-hardwood cuttings. This process ideally takes place during the summer months when the plant has matured new growth that is not yet fully hardened. To propagate through cuttings, one should select a healthy branch and cut a length of 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 cm), making sure there are several leaves present. The cut end can then be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept in a warm, humid environment out of direct sunlight until roots have developed, which can take several weeks. Regular misting will help maintain the necessary humidity. Once established, the cutting can be transplanted into the garden or a larger container.
