About
Metrosideros excelsa, the New Zealand Christmas tree, is a freely branching, wide-spreading evergreen tree to 20 m in the wild, with semi-glossy, dark-green, leathery leaves densely white-felted beneath. In summer it produces showy, brush-like, bright-red flowers composed of numerous stamens. One of New Zealand's most distinctive and beautiful flowering trees � a superb specimen for a large, frost-free, sheltered garden.
About the genus
Metrosideros are around 60 species of evergreen trees, shrubs and vines from Australasia and the Pacific, most commonly grown for their showy, tufty, predominantly red, brush-like flowers, which can also be orange, yellow or white. Frost-tender: best in a conservatory or in near-frost-free outdoor positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs, Trees
HabitSpreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesArchitectural, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Patio and container plants
Native toNew Zealand (North Island)
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass, grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly, water sparingly at other times. Plants become borderline hardy once the stems become woody at around 5 years
PruningSee pruning group 1; plants may need restrictive pruning under glass
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed in spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free