{"product_id":"spring-fire-new-zealand-christmas-bush-metrosideros-spring-fire","title":"Spring Fire New Zealand Christmas Bush - Metrosideros 'Spring Fire'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSpring Fire New Zealand Christmas Bush (\u003cem\u003eMetrosideros\u003c\/em\u003e 'Spring Fire') is a tall, slim evergreen that grows to about 5m high and 2m wide, with soft lime green new growth over large dark green leaves. Fluffy orange-red pincushion flowers open in spring and again on and off through the year. It makes a very good privacy hedge or screen, particularly near the coast, where it takes wind and salt in its stride.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo greens in one plant.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright lime green new growth sits over large, dark green leaves, so the plant looks fresh all year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers in spring and beyond.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fluffy orange-red pincushion flowers open in spring and intermittently through the year, and the nectar draws birds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalt and wind tolerant.\u003c\/strong\u003e It copes with coastal wind and salt spray, which makes it a good choice for sea-side planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlower than other metrosideros.\u003c\/strong\u003e Slower growth means less clipping once it is established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTall and slim.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 5m by 2m it screens a boundary without eating into the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrivacy screens and hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2m apart in a single row for a tall, slim screen that closes up over a few seasons. Clip to keep it lower if you prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal gardens and windbreaks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt wind and spray that burn most foliage pass it by, so it suits the exposed side of a seaside property.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecimen planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e On its own it makes an eye-catching feature. Site it away from pipework, because the roots can be troublesome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Spring Fire New Zealand Christmas Bush in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the richest foliage colour and the most flowers, though it tolerates part shade. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. It might survive a light frost, but it is not a plant for hard frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free-draining clay loams or sandy soil, with a neutral to acid pH. It thrives where drainage is good and dislikes sitting wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water well while it establishes. Fertilise with a native-plant fertiliser early in spring and at planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune lightly after flowering, or clip to maintain a lower hedge height. Because it grows more slowly than other metrosideros, it needs less clipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Spring Fire New Zealand Christmas Bush as tube stock only: a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is the economical way to plant a long screen. Plant out soon after arrival in a sunny spot, mulch, and water in well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/metrosideros\"\u003eNZ Christmas bush and metrosideros\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hedging-screening\"\u003eHedging and screening plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-salt-tolerant-plants\"\u003eCoastal and salt tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/metrosideros-nz-christmas-bush-care-guide\"\u003eThe metrosideros care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it for a hedge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 1.2m apart in a single row. With a mature width of about 2m, the plants merge into a tall, slim screen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I plant it near pipes or paving?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSite it away from pipework, because the roots can be troublesome. Give it clear ground, away from drains and foundations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it flower?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main show is in spring, with flowers appearing intermittently through the rest of the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790858092863,"sku":"MET-HYB-SPRING-tube","price":17.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/spring-fire-new-zealand-christmas-bush-metrosideros-spring-fire.jpg?v=1792209566","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/spring-fire-new-zealand-christmas-bush-metrosideros-spring-fire","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}