COROKIA. New Zealand. A group of shrubs with several unusual and ornamental features. Whatever their size and overall habit, they usually have a conspicuously zigzag line of growth. The stems are dark when mature, covered with downy or silky hairs when young. Clusters of small, star shaped yellow blossoms decorate the plants in spring, and from these develop ornamental red to yellow berries. Sun or light shade, reasonably well drained soil, moderate watering. The following are hardy to 18oF or less.
cotoneaster ‘Little Prince’. A dwarf selection of the best-known species. It is a chunky little shrub, reputedly under 4’ tall, with spreading, closely branched trunks. The slender stems are covered with greyish, silky hairs. The leaves are small and narrow, colored dark green above and grey-hairy beneath. Berries are bright red, if produced.
x virgata. Thought to be a natural hybrid, this species grows nearly erect and considerably larger than the last. Its younger stems are covered with silvery white hairs, as are the undersides of the narrow, 1-2" leaves. The berries are quite showy. Our selections include ‘Red Wonder’ and ‘Yellow Wonder’, both named for their berry color, and both purportedly growing 5-6’ tall. Sun or light shade, most soils, moderate watering. Hardy to 15oF or less.