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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5x Coprosma Port Wine - $9.99 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 details5x Coprosma Red Rock - $5.99 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 details5x Coprosma Roys Red - $5.99 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 Coprosma Taiko - $5.99 each
Coprosma 'Taiko' - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. Leaves are a coloured from dar...
View full details5x Mingi Mingi - $7.99 each
Stiff bushy shrub, with very small leaves, and interesting divaricating interlacing dark branches. Produces masses of blue/white berries that are v...
View full details5x Needle Leaved Coprosma - $5.99 each
Coprosma Rugosa - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with very tangled orange-brown twiggy new growth. Bears blue berries attractive ...
View full details5x Purple Coprosma - $5.99
Coprosma cunninghamii purple - A tough and hardy shrub with bold bronze purple colouring and vigourous growth. This shrub will thrive in most con...
View full details5x Red Stemmed Coprosma - $5.99 each
Coprosma Rubra - Red Stemmed Coprosma - An interesting divaricating twiggy shrub, with reddish brown stems and small leaves. A nice medium sized sh...
View full detailsCoprosma Black Cloud - $8.99 each
Coprosma Black Cloud - A very hardy ground covering shrub with colourful bronze/black foliage. Masses of blue berries making it very attractive to ...
View full detailsCoprosma Brunnea
A hardy, wiry shrubby groundcover that is very tough and suitable for harsh conditions. Dense and bushy, attractive chocolate brown coloured foli...
View full detailsCoprosma Cunninghamii
Coprosma cunninghamii purple - A tough and hardy shrub with bold bronze purple colouring and vigourous growth. This shrub will thrive in most con...
View full detailsCoprosma Depressa
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 detailsCoprosma Flat Freddy
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 detailsCoprosma Greyii - $8.99 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 detailsCoprosma Hawera
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 detailsCoprosma Kirkii
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 detailsCoprosma Lighthouse
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 detailsCoprosma Lobster
Coprosma Rugosa Lobster - A tough colourful and interesting alpine shrub with very tangled bright orange new growth. Bears berries attractive to bi...
View full detailsCoprosma propinqua
Coprosma Propinqua - Mingi Mingi - Stiff bushy shrub, with very small leaves, and interesting divaricating interlacing dark branches. Produces mass...
View full detailsCoprosma Red Rock x 1
Coprosma Red Rock - This divaricating native plant with small needle-like orange-red foliage, is found naturally near coastlines throughout N.Z. Th...
View full detailsCoprosma Robusta
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 detailsCoprosma Roys Red
Coprosma Roys Red - Richly coloured evergreen shrub with rich bronze-red foliage that provides all year round colour. Strong hardy grower withstand...
View full detailsCoprosma Rubra x 1
Coprosma Rubra - Red Stemmed Coprosma - An interesting divaricating twiggy shrub, with reddish brown stems and small leaves. A nice medium sized sh...
View full detailsCoprosma Taiko
Coprosma 'Taiko' - Popular hardy ground cover shrub with trailing branches that form a dense shrubby ground cover. Leaves are a coloured from dar...
View full details