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NZ Christmas Bush and Metrosideros

New Zealand Christmas bush is one of the toughest hedging plants for the coast. Metrosideros has dense, leathery evergreen foliage that shrugs off salt wind, and it covers itself in red brush flowers, the larger species right on Christmas and the compact forms through spring and often again later. This range runs from dwarf shrubs for low hedges and pots through mid sized screens to the pohutukawa, a broad seaside tree. Every plant is delivered Australia wide.

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How to choose a metrosideros

Size comes first. For a low hedge or a pot, Little Ollie stays about 1.2m, and Mini Christmas near 1.5m. Little Dugald and Velvet Sky reach about 2m, the second with plum tinted new growth. For a taller screen, Fiji Fire grows to 4m and flowers on and off for much of the year, Springfire carries orange red flowers in spring on a 3m shrub, and Thomas's pohutukawa makes a dense 4m hedge. Firecracker adds gold variegated leaves. The pohutukawa itself, Metrosideros tomentosa, is a spreading tree to 8m for large coastal gardens.

Where metrosideros works

It is a first choice for exposed coastal sites: it takes salt spray, wind and sandy soil. It also grows well inland in frost free and light frost areas. Give it full sun for the densest growth and the most flowers. Use it for boundary hedges, as a windbreak around a pool, or clipped in a large pot. It is one of our most dependable coastal and salt tolerant plants and a good option among hedging and screening plants.

Planting and spacing

For a hedge, plant dwarf forms 60cm to 80cm apart and the 3m to 4m varieties 1m to 1.2m apart. Plant level with the soil, mulch and water weekly through the first summer. In heavy clay, raise the bed, because metrosideros dislikes wet feet.

Care basics

Trim after flowering to keep a hedge dense; it clips well and reshoots from older wood. Feed in spring with a slow release fertiliser. Once established it needs water only in long dry spells. The NZ Christmas bush care guide covers hedging in more detail.

Common questions

How fast does NZ Christmas bush grow?

Moderately fast: 30cm to 60cm a year depending on the variety and conditions.

When does metrosideros flower?

The pohutukawa flowers in early summer around Christmas. Many compact hybrids flower in spring, and Fiji Fire for much of the year.

Is metrosideros good near the beach?

Yes. It is one of the most salt and wind tolerant hedging plants available.

Can it be kept as a low hedge?

Yes. Choose a dwarf form such as Little Ollie and trim once or twice a year.