Common name: Skeleton bush, wire-netting bush
Latin name: Corokia cotoneaster ‘Little Prince’
Plant size: 3′ high x 18″ wide, easily kept smaller
Plant type: Shrubs and small trees
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Cultural needs: Sun or shade, medium water needs, good drainage, tolerates alkaline soil
The dark, almost black, twisting stems of Corokia cotoneaster ‘Little Prince’ are the main feature of this
specimen railway plant. Almost metallic, this is the one to choose for a ghost town or cemetery, as its
common name, skeleton bush, suggests. Airy and sculptural, Little Prince Corokia planted in front of a
building will show off its interlacing branches, but tiny arrowhead leaves and minute yellow flowers in
spring will not obscure your building. By limiting the main trunks to one or two, this shrubby, evergreen
plant can be maintained as a tree form. Native to New Zealand, the Maori word for plant is corokia.
Skeleton bush can take some salt spray and alkaline soil, so this may fit the needs of a seaside gardener.
This unusual plant can be obtained at riverrocknursery.net (a Zone-7 nursery located in Oregon).
