Metrosideros umbellata Moonlight ('Lowmoo')
southern rata [Moonlight]
A dense and bushy, rounded evergreen shrub or tree, slowly growing to 10m. The leaves are narrowly oval, shiny and green with yellow variegation and a red edge running round the leathery leaf blades. In summer, mature plants produce brush-like, red flowers composed of numerous tufts of stamens
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Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
more than 50 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green Yellow | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter | Green Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Trade
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 semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Wall side borders
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
See pruning group 1
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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