Coprosma
One of New Zealand's largest native plant genera, from low groundcovers to small trees, valued for glossy foliage and masses of colourful berries (white, blue, orange or red depending on species) that kererū and silvereye eat. Its dense, often tangled branching also gives native geckos safe cover from predators. Flowers are tiny and inconspicuous, so no reliable flowering window is listed.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Spacing
- 100cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 4m
- Attracts wildlife
- Kererū, Silvereye/tauhou, Native geckos
- Evergreen
- Yes
- Common pests
- Coprosma leafroller
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: March-April and September-November. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: September-November.
Growing stages
Planting & establishmentFirst few months
- Water while young, even though this genus copes well with low water once established
- Full sun suits most species, though many tolerate a range of conditions
Early growthFirst 1-2 years
- Watch for coprosma leafroller webbing leaves together on new growth
- Dense, often tangled branching starts forming now, giving native geckos safe cover as the plant fills out
Maturity
- Masses of colourful berries (white, blue, orange or red depending on species) form for kererū and silvereye to feed on
- Continue checking for coprosma leafroller, particularly on dense inner growth
- Low-maintenance once established, needing very little ongoing care