Coprosma are an interesting and very diverse group of shrubs. There are hundreds of varieties with a broad range of differences. Coprosma come in very low growing, ground hugging forms right up to large shrubs. Coprosma can also be loosely divided into two groups - the larger leafed variety and the twiggy small leaved varieties. We will have a look at the twiggy forms, also known as 'Mingi Mingi'. Mingi Mingi is a maori word for 'twisted'.
Despite being so varied there are a few things Mingi mingi have in common. Generally they are small to medium shrubs, with very small leaves and interesting divaricating form. This gives them the twiggy appearance and this is their interesting feature. Often the branches have interesting colour giving the shrub a nice coloured hue, for example the golden yellow of Coprosma virescens or the red of Coprosma Rubra. The starkness, of this appearance holds a certain drama and charm in the garden and certainly makes them stand out and look different from other more leafy shrubs.
Mingi Mingi are very tough little shrubs, they will withstand horrendoeus winds, coastal conditions, very cold alpine conditions, very wet situations and long droughts. In fact Mingi Mingi is one of the toughest NZ shrubs and will survive almost anything.
Coprosma are very attractive to native birds. In summer and autumn they produces masses of pale (non-poisonous) berries that turn blue as they ripen and are loved by native birds. At other times of year they they are attractive to the smaller birds that love browsing for small insects and mites hosted on the plant. Coprosma are our top recommendation for people wanting to attract native birds back to their garden.
The size and shape of mingi varies dramatically. Some have very flat prostrate growth and grow as a shrubby ground cover. These are fascinating rambling over rocks and walls, and definetely add interest to a low growing garden. Others form low to medium shrubs, and thus require very little care in the smaller garden.
Mingi Mingi respond well to clipping, and therefore can be easily hedged. They make a very interesting and different hedge and provide wonderful colour choices rather than the traditional leafy green hedge. Because of the very fine branches and small leaves coprosma make wonderful tight, good looking hedges that are easy to maintain.
Coprosma robusta Common Names: Karamu, Shiny Leaf CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (endemic)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Small Tree ...
View full detailsCoprosma kirkii Common Names: Kirks Coprosma, Groundcover CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Groundcover O...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Roy’s Red’ Common Names: Roy’s Red CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub Overview: Copros...
View full detailsCoprosma propinqua (Coprosma propinqua) Common Names: Mingimingi, CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: Endemic to New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen sh...
View full detailsCoprosma rugosa Common Names: Rugose Coprosma, Shiny Coprosma Family: Rubiaceae Origin: New Zealand Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub Overview: Copros...
View full detailsCoprosma acerosa (Sand Coprosma) Common Names: Sand coprosma, Creeping coprosma, Taupata (prostrate form) Family: Rubiaceae Origin: New Zealand ...
View full detailsCoprosma robusta Common Names: Karamu, Shiny Leaf CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (endemic)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Small Tree ...
View full detailsCoprosma brunnea (Coprosma brunnea) Common Names: Leafy Coprosma, Mountain CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: Endemic to New ZealandPlant Type: Eve...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Hāwera’ Common Names: Coprosma ‘Hāwera’Family: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub Overview: Coprosma ‘...
View full detailsCoprosma kirkii Common Names: Kirks Coprosma, Groundcover CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Groundcover O...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Lobster’ Common Names: Lobster Coprosma, Red-Margined CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Red Rock’ Common Names: Red Rock Coprosma, Mirror PlantFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Foli...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Roy’s Red’ Common Names: Roy’s Red CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub Overview: Copros...
View full detailsCoprosma propinqua (Coprosma propinqua) Common Names: Mingimingi, CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: Endemic to New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen sh...
View full detailsCoprosma acerosa (Sand Coprosma) Common Names: Sand coprosma, Creeping coprosma, Taupata (prostrate form) Family: Rubiaceae Origin: New Zealand ...
View full detailsCoprosma robusta Common Names: Karamu, Shiny Leaf Coprosma Family: Rubiaceae Origin: New Zealand (endemic) Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Small Tre...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Black Cloud’ Common names: Black Cloud Coprosma Family: Rubiaceae Origin: New Zealand hybrid Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Groundcov...
View full detailsCoprosma brunnea (Coprosma brunnea) Common Names: Leafy Coprosma, Mountain CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: Endemic to New ZealandPlant Type: Eve...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Dark Spire’ Common Names: Dark Spire coprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar selection)Plant Type: Evergreen columnar shr...
View full detailsCoprosma depressa Common Names: Creeping Coprosma, Native GroundcoverFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen Groundcover / Low...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Hāwera’ Common Names: Coprosma ‘Hāwera’Family: RubiaceaeOrigin: New Zealand (cultivar)Plant Type: Evergreen Shrub Overview: Coprosma ‘...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Hot Chocolate’ Overview A compact, glossy evergreen shrub with rich chocolate-bronze foliage that deepens to red and burgundy tones in ...
View full detailsCoprosma ‘Karo Red’ Overview Coprosma ‘Karo Red’ is a compact, glossy NZ native shrub valued for its vibrant red-tinged foliage and tidy year-rou...
View full detailsCoprosma kirkii Common Names: Kirks Coprosma, Groundcover CoprosmaFamily: RubiaceaeOrigin: New ZealandPlant Type: Evergreen Shrub / Groundcover O...
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