Muehlenbeckia astonii

Muehlenbeckia astonii, also known as the "shrubby tororaro" and "wiggy-wig bush" in its native New Zealand, is a deciduous bush worthy of appearing on a canvas by surrealist painter Max Ernst, who often depicted twisted vegetation masses against a desolate landscape. This strange plant forms a cloudy mass of undefinable and changing colour, supported by a dense structure with a zig-zag mesh. Once defoliated in autumn and winter, the slender and differently coloured stems give the overall appearance of a giant wig with swirling tones. The plant discreetly flowers in green and white during summer. The female plants bear small edible walnuts after flowering, which may have earned this astonishing creature its name of "bush lentil". Extravagant and extremely sculptural, it is also a contrasting bush, valuable for creating surprising hedges in dry gardens and coastal areas. As it lends itself well to topiary art, it can fulfil the creative gardener's every fancy!

Muehlenbeckia astonii belongs to the Polygonaceae family, a cousin of sorrel and knotweed. This bush is endangered in its native habitats. It is endemic to small areas located at the southern tip of the North Island, the eastern coast of the South Island, and the southeast of the Banks Peninsula. It is often found on the edges of forests, especially in the beds of watercourses, on alluvial terraces, and on overhanging rock walls. In this dioecious bush, there are female plants with fertile flowers distinct from male plants.

It prefers well-drained and dry soil. It is hardy down to -10 to -12°C (14 to 10.4°F), and tolerates wind and sea spray perfectly. It has a generally rounded and densely bushy habit, supported by numerous slender branches that grow in a zig-zag pattern. Its remarkable hues range from reddish-brown to reddish-orange or purplish. Its growth rate is quite fast. An adult specimen will reach an average size of 1.5m (5ft) in all directions. Depending on the climate and protection from strong winds, it can reach 2m (7ft) or more. Its deciduous foliage consists of tiny heart-shaped leaves, a few millimetres long, arranged in clusters of two or three units along the branches in an alternate pattern. They are medium green in colour. The flowering takes place in August-September in our climate. The flowers are tiny, grouped in clusters of 2 to 4 units, measuring less than 1cm (1in) in diameter. Their colour ranges from greenish to white or white-pink. The fruits on the female plants, when male plants are present, take the form of small three-angled black fruits, measuring 3 to 4mm (1in) in diameter. Their edible flesh has a flavour reminiscent of lychee.

Imagine a hedge or the back of a bed forming a genuine mist in shades of old red, burnt orange, or burgundy wine, with a somewhat uncertain bronze green in spring. If you appreciate our local wig tree, the Cotinus, you will surely be charmed by Muehlenbeckia astonii. If your climate allows, give this bush a home. Enthusiasts of sculptural plants can plant it with Sarcopoterium spinosum, a bush that forms a thorny cushion in arid lands. It will also please lovers of topiary and stylised or minimalist designs. It tolerates pruning perfectly and can also be grown in containers, shaped into regular balls or pyramids, according to each gardener's desires, creating a surprising setting that will astonish all visitors. A textural plant, the bush lentil benefits from being planted with complementary plants such as Phormium tenax 'Purpureum', tall grasses (Panicum, Miscanthus), or more modest 'herbs' with spectacular flowering such as Muhlenbergia capillaris or Stipa. In a mild or coastal climate garden, beautiful Australian shrubs such as Westringia fruticosa, Leptospermum, Grevillea, and Melaleuca are also good companions for this truly endearing plant.