Corokia buddleioides
A wiry, divaricating shrub endemic to the northern North Island, often on coastal headlands and scrub. Small yellow starry flowers are followed by orange-red berries that attract birds. Its tough constitution and neat habit suit hedging, shelter and coastal gardens among our native shrubs.
| Scientific Name | Corokia buddleioides |
|---|---|
| Height | 2–4 m |
| Spread | 2–3 m |
| Light | Full sun to light shade |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates coastal sands |
| Water Needs | Low once established |
| Wind/Salt | Excellent tolerance |
| Frost Tolerance | Varies |
| Salt Tolerance | Varies |
| Growth Rate | Varies |
| Lifespan | Varies |
Korokio is well-adapted to New Zealand's temperate coastal and inland conditions, naturally occurring from North Cape to central North Island. This hardy shrub demonstrates exceptional tolerance to challenging environmental conditions, making it suitable for a wide range of cultivation sites across New Zealand.
The species thrives in both coastal and inland positions, withstanding dry, cold, and windy conditions with remarkable resilience. Its excellent salt tolerance makes it particularly valuable for coastal plantings, while its adaptability to various soil types and exposure levels ensures success in most New Zealand gardens.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Ideal |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Korokio (Corokia buddleioides) is an excellent choice for a variety of garden applications, particularly in challenging environments where toughness and resilience are required.
This native shrub provides significant ecological benefits, supporting local wildlife and contributing to biodiversity in New Zealand ecosystems.
Korokio holds cultural importance within Māori tradition, recognized for its practical applications and spiritual connections to the land.
Spring is the time for active growth and flowering in Korokio. This is also the best time for planting and taking cuttings for propagation.
Summer brings peak growing conditions with flowers developing into berries. Established plants require minimal care during this season.
Autumn is when Korokio's colorful berries reach maturity, providing food for birds and adding ornamental value to the garden.
Winter is a dormant period for Korokio. The plant's excellent hardiness means it requires minimal care during the cooler months.
Korokio (Corokia buddleioides) benefits from thoughtful pruning to maintain its shape, encourage dense growth, and manage its size for garden applications.
The divaricating nature of this plant means it naturally develops an intricate branching pattern. When pruning, consider enhancing this characteristic rather than forcing unnatural shapes, which helps maintain the plant's wildlife value and aesthetic appeal.
The optimal planting time for Korokio is during spring or early autumn when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is more reliable, allowing for good root establishment.
Choose a site that accommodates Korokio's preferences and mature size:
Provide consistent moisture during establishment while avoiding overwatering. Once established, Korokio is extremely drought tolerant and requires minimal ongoing care.
Korokio is a versatile and hardy native shrub, well-suited to a variety of garden settings, particularly as a hedging plant or in mixed native plantings. Its dense, dark green foliage and attractive yellow flowers provide year-round interest. It is a relatively low-maintenance plant, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. With proper care, Korokio will form a robust and attractive shrub, providing shelter and food for native birds.
Propagating Korokio from cuttings is a reliable and efficient method, ensuring that new plants retain the exact characteristics of the parent. Take semi-hardwood cuttings, about 4-6 inches long, from healthy, non-flowering shoots in late summer or autumn. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and, if desired, dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cuttings into a well-draining mix of perlite and peat or a similar sterile medium. Keep the cuttings in a sheltered location with indirect light and ensure the medium remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Rooting typically occurs within a few weeks to a few months, after which the new plants can be potted on and grown in a sheltered environment until they are ready for planting out.
Growing Korokio from seed is also possible, though it can be a slower process and the resulting plants may exhibit some genetic variation from the parent. Collect fresh seeds from ripe berries in autumn. Clean the seeds thoroughly to remove any pulp and sow them onto a tray of well-draining seed-raising mix. Lightly cover the seeds with a thin layer of fine soil or grit. The seeds benefit from a period of cold stratification, so placing the tray outdoors in a sheltered spot over winter will allow natural temperature fluctuations to aid germination in the spring. Maintain consistent moisture in the seed tray, ensuring it never dries out completely. Germination can be erratic, so patience is key. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be pricked out and potted into individual containers to grow on.
Korokio (Corokia buddleioides) is generally a very healthy and robust plant with excellent natural resistance to most pests and diseases, making it an ideal low-maintenance choice for gardens.
The natural hardiness of Korokio means that most plants will thrive with minimal intervention, making them perfect for organic gardening approaches and low-maintenance landscapes.
Korokio's exceptional salt tolerance makes it one of the best choices for true coastal gardening. Plant it on the seaward side of your garden as a protective windbreak - it will shield more sensitive plants from salt spray while providing year-round structure. The autumn berries are particularly spectacular when backlit by morning or evening sun, creating brilliant orange-red jewels against the intricate branching pattern. For the best berry display, plant multiple specimens to ensure cross-pollination, and resist the urge to prune immediately after flowering - those small yellow flowers are the key to the autumn show!
Plants with similar habit or use can complement Korokio in mixed native plantings and habitat restoration.
Understanding Korokio's natural habitat provides valuable insights for successful cultivation and conservation efforts.
The ecological interactions of Korokio demonstrate its specialized adaptations to coastal and exposed environments.
While Korokio is currently not threatened, understanding its conservation context helps inform sustainable cultivation practices.
Detailed cultivation guidance for optimal Korokio performance in various garden situations.
Korokio's versatility and hardiness make it suitable for a wide range of landscaping applications.
Korokio plays an important role in New Zealand's coastal and scrubland ecosystems, providing food and habitat for native wildlife.
A wiry, divaricating shrub endemic to the northern North Island, often on coastal headlands and scrub. Small yellow starry flowers are followed by orange-red berries that attract birds. Its tough constitution and neat habit suit hedging, shelter and coastal gardens among our native shrubs.
Successful establishment of Korokio requires attention to its natural habitat preferences and growth characteristics.
Korokio (Corokia buddleioides) holds cultural importance in Aotearoa New Zealand through its roles in traditional knowledge and native ecosystems. This hardy coastal shrub was known to Māori and valued for its resilience and ability to provide shelter in exposed coastal areas.
