corokia cotoneaster
Origin
The zigzag shrub belongs to the Escalloniaceae family and originally comes from the bushes and forests of New Zealand. This easy-care, somewhat bizarrely growing houseplant has not been on the market for very long. Nevertheless, it is slowly but surely developing into an absolute trend plant.
growth
The zigzag shrub is a small, deciduous shrub with white-fluffy hairy shoots that change direction after each leaf attachment and knot. This results in a wild and very special growth pattern in zigzag form. At its home location, the zigzag shrub grows up to two metres high.
leaves
The leaves of the zigzag shrub are silver-green, small and ovate to elliptic and pointed. They sit on strikingly long petioles. At the underside, they are also whitish hairy.
Flowering Of The corokia cotoneaster
In late winter and spring the small yellow flowers of the zigzag shrub appear. They are very decorative and exude a faint, slightly sweet fragrance.
fruits
After flowering, yellow to red, elongated stone fruits sometimes appear. The fruit set is highest when two plants are cultivated that can be pollinated by insects.
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Location and substrate
The zigzag shrub prefers a bright, sunny location all year round. During the summer it can also be placed in a pot or bucket in a semi-shaded place on the terrace or balcony. For a short time, the zigzag shrub even tolerates slight sub-zero temperatures. In winter it should nevertheless be cultivated indoors – preferably on a bright windowsill in the coolest possible room with a temperature of five to ten degrees Celsius and good ventilation. The substrate should be permeable and rich in humus. If winter temperatures are too high, flowering often stops.
casting
Keep the distinctive houseplant moderately moist, but never too wet and avoid waterlogging. In winter the zigzag shrub gets by with very little water. Even in summer it doesn’t hurt to let the surface of the potting soil dry well until the next watering.
fertilizing
From spring to autumn you can provide the zigzag shrub with flower fertiliser every two weeks. During the flowering period you should refrain from fertilizing, otherwise the houseplant will easily shed its flowers.
repotting
At a young age, the zigzag shrub can be planted in a new pot every one to two years. This is best done in the spring after the end of the flowering period.
Other care
A regular pruning is not necessary with the ornamental shrub, but you can prune branches that are too long from time to time. You can also hold the zigzag shrub as a bonsai by shortening the branches and twigs and wire them to obtain a special growth habit.
Propagation
The zigzag shrub can be propagated by cuttings in summer. The shoots form roots quite reliably at a soil temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius under a foil hood.
Diseases and pests
The houseplant is extremely robust. Diseases and pests hardly occur.
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I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
