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Metrosideros excelsa

New Zealand Christmas tree

An erect, freely-branching, wide-spreading evergreen tree, to 20m tall in its native New Zealand, with semi-glossy, leathery, dark green leaves, densely white-felted beneath. In summer it produces brush-like, bright red flowers, composed of numerous tufts of stamens

Other common names
New Zealand fire tree
pohutukawa
Synonyms
Metrosideros tomentosa
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Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
more than 50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White
Summer Red Green White
Autumn Green White
Winter Green White
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Myrtaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus

A genus of around 60 trees, shrubs and vines, most commonly grown for their showy, tufty predominantly red bottle brush-like flowers, which can also be orange, yellow or white. As they are frost tender, they are best suited as conservatory plants but can be seen outdoors in places such as the Scilly Isles or West Cornwall where frosts are extremely rare

Name status

Correct

Plant range
New Zealand (North Island)

How to grow

Cultivation

Under 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

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed in spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

See pruning group 1; plants may need restrictive pruning under glass

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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