Family Polygonaceae
Originating from New Zealand
- A unique, deciduous shrub with angular, zigzag branches.
- Tiny, heart-shaped green leaves pair with creamy white flowers in early summer.
- Adaptable and tough, Muehlenbeckia astonii thrives in any soil in full sun or part shade.
Enter the eccentric world of Muehlenbeckia astonii—a New Zealand native with a tangled personality. This shrub grows to 2.5m tall and wide in 10-15 years, its slender, reddish-brown stems weaving a dense, zigzag mound. Mid-green, endearingly heart-shaped leaves, small as 2-15mm, drop in winter, revealing intricate branchwork. Early summer brings minute creamy white flowers, followed by semi-opaque, gel-encased fruits cradling a single black seed—sugary treats for birds and lizards.
Ideal for Norfolk and Suffolk’s coastal areas, Muehlenbeckia astonii handles poor, dry soils and salt spray with ease. It suits full sun or part shade, forming a soft, wide-spreading shape—or trim it into hedges, topiary, or whatever you fancy. Rare in the wild but a garden charmer, it’s a low-care pick for texture and resilience.
Care Tips for Muehlenbeckia astonii
- Soil & Sun: Grows in any soil; prefers full sun or part shade
- Planting: Space 2.5m—suits borders, hedges, or standalone
- Watering: Minimal—drought-tolerant once established
- Pruning: Trim to shape—responds well
Add a twist of the unexpected to your garden. Muehlenbeckia astonii brings wiry charm and subtle blooms to East Anglia’s landscapes. Its coastal toughness and sculptable form make it a standout—NZ oddity meets coastal cuteness.
Planting Suggestions for the Wiggy Wig Plant
Indulge in the unique character of New Zealand species and craft a planting scheme like no other. The distinctive growth of this fantastic plant echoes in other Kiwi genera, sharing similar conditions. Sophora ‘Little Baby’, from a different family, could be its wiry twin—zigzag branches, tiny leaves, and showy yellow flowers in tow. Add Sophora cassioides, Cordyline ‘Festival Lime’, and Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ for a crazy Kiwi corner.
The architectural scope of Muehlenbeckia astonii is vast—left natural, it forms an undulating organic mound, or clip it into a neat dome. Pair with tall, upright species like Cupressus sempervirens, Cupressus arizonica, Pinus nigra ‘Green Tower’, Pinus nigra ‘Richard’, and Pinus strobus ‘Stowe Pillar’ for sharp contrast. Mix in Trachycarpus fortunei, Cordyline ‘Jive’, and Chamaerops humilis for diverse structure.
For further reading on Muehlenbeckia astonii visit: https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/muehlenbeckia-astonii/
