Botanical Name: Metrosideros excelsus (M. Tomentosus)
Common Name: New Zealand Christmas Tree, Pohutukawa
Type of Plant: dicot: tree
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an evergreen large shrub in youth, single-or multi-trunked, with ascending primary branching; develops a full oval to rounded canopy as the plant matures; rather slow-growing at first and shrubby if unpruned
Height 15-30' (40 ft)
Spread 2/3 to equal
Growth Rate slow to moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure full sun preferred; tolerates some shade at inland locations
Soil prefers well-draining sites
Hardiness tender (Zones 17, 23-24): best-suited to mild coastal habitats
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate. mostly opposite on pale gray fuzzy stems, 2-3" long, oval to elliptic, leathery, dark green above, pale gray-green and fuzzy beneath
Flowers crimson red, many-stamened (similar to Callistemon), in large rounded clusters at the ends of branches; mostly in summer
Fruit a woody capsule (similar to Callistemon)
 
Propagation:
seed
 
Usage:
a small accent tree for coastal areas, valued for its heavy display of showy red flowers and structure if trained; Mediterranean-subtropical themes; good courtyard or small street tree; also as background screening
 
Landscape Care:
Watering give an occasional deep soak the first 2 years, then very little needed thereafter
Fertilizing little needed after establishment (check for chlorosis in lawns)
Pruning as a tree, head high when young and develop primary framework
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other M. excelsa ‘Aurea’ produces yellow flowers
 
Origin: coastal regions of northern New Zealand
Family: Myrtaceae

Notes:
 
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