Twisted Coprosma - Mingi Mingi
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.
- New Zealand native
- Hedge 50cm - 2m
- Lightly trim for shelter or screen 1.5m - 2m
- Leave untrimmed for shrub 10cm - 3m
- Ornamental berries white - blue
- Thrives in most conditions
- Drought hardy
- Tolerates wind and coastal exposure
- Frost hardy
- Evergreen

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100x Coprosma Brunnea - $3.99 each
A hardy, wiry shrubby groundcover that is very tough and suitable for harsh conditions. Dense and bushy, attractive chocolate brown coloured foli...
View full details100x Coprosma Flat Freddy - $3.99 each
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' - This ground cover shrub is unique in that it is one of the most flat growing shrubs available. Has attractive tiny lea...
View full details100x Coprosma Red Rock - $3.99 each
Coprosma Red Rock - This divaricating native plant with small needle-like orange-red foliage, makes a stunning ground cover in tough conditions. ...
View full details100x Coprosma Roys Red - $3.99 each
Coprosma Roys Red - Richly coloured evergreen shrub with rich bronze-red foliage that provides all year round colour. Strong hardy grower withstand...
View full details1x Coprosma Port Wine - $11.99 each
A fast growing shrub with glossy, bronze-red coloured foliage, in cooler months the colour becomes darker. Plant in either full sun or partial shad...
View full details1x Coprosma Rugosa
Coprosma Rugosa - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with very tangled orange-brown twiggy new growth. Bears blue berries attractive ...
View full details25x Coprosma Brunnea - $4.99 each
A hardy, wiry shrubby groundcover that is very tough and suitable for harsh conditions. Dense and bushy, attractive chocolate brown coloured foli...
View full details25x Coprosma Depressa - $4.99 each
Coprosma Depressa - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. It has blue berries in Autumn...
View full details25x Coprosma Flat Freddy - $4.99 each
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' - This ground cover shrub is unique in that it is one of the most flat growing shrubs available. Has attractive tiny lea...
View full details25x Coprosma Greyii - $4.99 each
Coprosma Greyii - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with grey green foliage, and an interesting angular growth form. It's semi spraw...
View full details25x Coprosma Hawera - $4.99 each
Coprosma Hawera - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with compact trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. It has masses of berrie...
View full details25x Coprosma Kirkii - $4.99 each
Coprosma Kirkii - A hardy strong growing sprawling ground cover shrub that is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including drought and co...
View full details25x Coprosma Lobster - $4.99 each
Coprosma Rugosa Lobster - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with very tangled bright orange new growth. Bears berries attractive to bi...
View full details25x Coprosma Red Rock - $4.99 each
Coprosma Red Rock - This divaricating native plant with small needle-like orange-red foliage, makes a stunning ground cover in tough conditions. ...
View full details25x Coprosma Roys Red - $4.99 each
Coprosma Roys Red - Richly coloured evergreen shrub with rich bronze-red foliage that provides all year round colour. Strong hardy grower withstand...
View full details5x Coastal Coprosma - $1.99 each
Coprosma Robusta - Karamu - A hardy and fast growing shrub. Has large deep green oblong leaves and produces orange berries which are very attractiv...
View full details5x Coprosma Brunnea - $5.99 each
A hardy, wiry shrubby groundcover that is very tough and suitable for harsh conditions. Dense and bushy, attractive chocolate brown coloured foli...
View full details5x Coprosma Depressa - $5.99 each
Coprosma Depressa - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. It has blue berries in Autum...
View full details5x Coprosma Flat Freddy - $5.99 each
Coprosma 'Flat Freddy' - This ground cover shrub is unique in that it is one of the most flat growing shrubs available. Has attractive tiny lea...
View full details5x Coprosma Greyii - $5.99 each
Coprosma Greyii - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with grey green foliage, and an interesting angular growth form. Bears berries att...
View full details5x Coprosma Hawera - $5.99 each
Coprosma Hawera - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with compact trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. It has masses of berrie...
View full details5x Coprosma Kirkii - $5.99 each
Coprosma Kirkii - A hardy strong growing sprawling ground cover shrub that is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including drought and co...
View full details5x Coprosma Lighthouse - $5.99 each
Coprosma 'Lighthouse' A sleek, upright grower with glossy green leaves and a natural column shape—Coprosma 'Lighthouse' is your go-to for adding ...
View full details5x Coprosma Lobster - $5.99 each
Coprosma Rugosa Lobster - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with very tangled bright orange new growth. Bears berries attractive to bi...
View full details