Load video: Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

$730.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L pot: Ball diameter approx 0.60 – 0.80 m, ready to place.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 0.6m to 0.8m maintained as a clipped ball

Mature Width: 0.6m to 0.8m maintained as a clipped ball

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year in topiary form.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Trade

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

Register or learn more ›

Shipping

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on the pallet space your order occupies in the truck and your delivery location.

There is no charge to calculate your freight.

Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls are pre-clipped formal specimens of the New Zealand Pohutukawa, supplied as dense evergreen spheres of roughly 0.6 to 0.8 metres. The leathery dark green leaves carry silvery undersides, and crimson bottlebrush-like flowers open through summer. Left unclipped the species makes a tree of 8 to 15 metres.

Coastal performance is the strong point. It handles salt-laden wind, sandy soils and direct seaside exposure, and suits warm temperate to subtropical districts from Brisbane through Sydney to Melbourne and Adelaide. Full sun and sharp drainage give the densest foliage. Growth is slow, and two light clips a year hold the shape.

Use them flanking entrances, anchoring formal beachside beds, lining seaside paths or paired in urns and large pots. In warm humid coastal gardens where English Box struggles with blight, this is the more dependable clipped ball. It brings formal structure, dense evergreen cover and summer flower in one plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

What is Metrosideros excelsa?

Metrosideros excelsa is the New Zealand Pohutukawa, an evergreen from the coastal cliffs and headlands of the North Island. It carries leathery dark green leaves with silvery undersides and crimson bottlebrush-like flowers in summer. As a tree it reaches 8 to 15 metres, but it clips readily and is widely grown as formal topiary in Australia.

How big are the topiary balls?

The 100L topiary balls arrive pre-clipped and ready to place, with ball diameters of roughly 0.6 to 0.8 metres. They are well rooted and in proportion to the pot. Held at that size with two light clips a year, they suit entrances, courtyards and feature positions without outgrowing the space.

When does Metrosideros excelsa flower?

Flowering runs through summer in Australia, generally December to January, which is where the name New Zealand Christmas Tree comes from. The flowers are dense clusters of bristly crimson stamens rather than petals, and they draw honeyeaters and bees. On clipped topiary the display is lighter than on a full-sized tree.

Is Metrosideros excelsa salt and wind tolerant?

Yes, and this is its strongest quality. It grows naturally on exposed New Zealand sea cliffs, so salt-laden wind, sandy soils and full frontal coastal exposure cause no leaf burn. It is one of the more reliable choices for direct seaside planting where most formal topiary species struggle.

Is Metrosideros excelsa frost tolerant?

Not really. It is frost sensitive and belongs in frost-free or lightly frost-prone positions. It performs well through warm coastal Australia, but avoid the cold inland tablelands, the Southern Highlands, Canberra and alpine districts where heavy frost is regular. Young plants are the most vulnerable.

How often do I need to prune the topiary balls?

Two light clips a year hold the ball form: one in spring and one in late summer or early autumn. Use sharp shears for the cleanest finish and step back regularly to check symmetry. Avoid cutting hard into old bare wood, which reshoots slowly and can leave a gap in the face.

How do I care for Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls?

Water deeply through the first growing season, then reduce and top up only in extended dry spells. Apply a slow release fertiliser in early spring. Clip in spring and again in late summer to hold the shape. In pots, use a free-draining mix and step up a pot size every two to three years.

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine

From $170.00

Trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly called Star Jasmine, is an evergreen twining climber, and despite the name it is not a true jasmine. Stems wind through wire and lattice and build a woody framework over time, carrying oval, glossy dark green leaves. Scented white flowers shaped like five pointed stars open through spring and summer.

Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, though it grows perfectly well in part shade. Any free draining soil will do. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. It is frost tolerant once established, handles salt wind and short dry periods, and performs from Perth and Adelaide through to Sydney and Brisbane.

On a fence or wall it covers 2 to 3 metres of support, more with age and training. Left unsupported it spreads as a groundcover 30 to 45 centimetres deep, useful on batters and under established trees. It is the standard answer when a boundary needs green cover without the bulk of a hedge.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Star Jasmine

What is Star Jasmine?

Trachelospermum jasminoides is an evergreen twining climber from east Asia, and despite the common name it is not a true jasmine. It builds a woody framework of stems carrying glossy dark green leaves, and produces scented white flowers shaped like five pointed stars. It is grown as a climber, a groundcover or a clipped cover.

How fast does Star Jasmine grow?

Growth is moderate at about 30 to 50 centimetres a year once established. The first year is slow while the roots develop, and the pace picks up noticeably in the second and third seasons. Regular water and a spring feed speed things along, and plants tied in early cover a fence faster than those left to find their own way.

Does Star Jasmine need sun or shade?

It grows in full sun through to part shade. Full sun produces the tightest growth and by far the most flowers, while shaded plants stay leafier with sparse flowering. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch. Against a west facing wall, make sure the roots stay mulched and watered.

Is Star Jasmine frost tolerant?

Yes, established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, though the leaves often take on a bronze or purple tone through winter and green up again in spring. Young plants in their first winter are more vulnerable and benefit from a sheltered position or a temporary cover in cold inland districts.

Can Star Jasmine be used as a groundcover?

Yes. Left without support it spreads sideways into a dense mat roughly 30 to 45 centimetres deep, which is a common way to cover batters, median strips and the ground under established trees. Space plants about 1 metre apart for cover within two seasons, and trim the runners back off paths.

Is Star Jasmine suitable for coastal positions?

It handles coastal conditions well, including salt laden wind and sandy soil, provided it is not in the front line of direct salt spray. Improve sandy ground with compost before planting and mulch to hold moisture. It is used widely on coastal fences and retaining walls along the eastern and southern seaboard.

How do I care for Star Jasmine?

Water through the first two summers, after which it asks for very little. Prune after flowering, cutting back long runners and thinning the framework if it has built up thick and woody. It takes a hard cut back and reshoots. Feed in early spring. Wear gloves when pruning, as the milky sap can irritate skin.

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine - Evergreen Trees Direct

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine

View full details

Type: Feature Plant

Trachelospermum jasminoides – Star Jasmine

From $170.00

Type: Structural Foliage

Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls

From $200.00

Type: Hedging and Screening Trees

Buxus japonica (Hedging Form) – Japanese Box

From $30.00

Type: Shrub

Lavandula angustifolia English Lavender

From $20.00

Type: Groundcover

Stachys byzantina Lamb's Ears

$15.00

Type: Shrub

Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary

From $30.00

Type: Native Grass

Lomandra longifolia 'Tanika'®

From $20.00

Type: Ornamental Grass

Pennisetum setaceum Fountain Grass

$20.00

Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Screening or Privacy
Shrubs
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls works in an:

Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Contemporary / Architectural Garden – striking forms for bold design statements.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.

Is Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls Evergreen or Deciduous?

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 0.6m to 0.8m maintained as a clipped ball

Mature Width: 0.6m to 0.8m maintained as a clipped ball

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year in topiary form.

Growth Rate of Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year in topiary form.

They are considered to have a:

Slow Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Is Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls frost tolerant?

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls Flower?

Metrosideros excelsa produces dense clusters of bristly red flowers through summer, typically December through January in Australia. In topiary form, flowering is lighter than full-form trees but still produces seasonal red colour and attracts native birds and pollinators.

Does Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

Red

Is Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls an Australian Native Tree?

No

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is Native to New Zealand. Metrosideros excelsa, the Pohutukawa, is native to the coastal cliffs, headlands and forests of New Zealand's North Island, where it grows directly on exposed coastal sites overlooking the sea.

What is the Wildlife Value of Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls ?

The nectar-rich red flowers of Metrosideros excelsa attract honeyeaters, lorikeets, native bees and beneficial pollinators through summer. The dense evergreen canopy also provides shelter for small coastal birds throughout the year, supporting biodiversity in seaside and formal coastal plantings.

How much Sunlight does Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls need?

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Metrosideros excelsa performs best in well-drained sandy or sandy-loam soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It is well suited to coastal sand profiles and tolerates poorer soils provided drainage remains excellent. Avoid heavy clay or persistently wet conditions, which can lead to root rot.

Is Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls Drought Tolerant?

Is Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls Drought tolerant?

Through establishment Metrosideros excelsa benefits from regular watering to build a strong root system. Once established it is highly drought tolerant, reflecting its origins on exposed New Zealand coastal cliffs, and performs reliably through extended dry periods on minimal supplementary watering.

youtube

How To Plant Your Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop, or a large container in a bright spot.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure, or use a premium potting mix in containers.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth in garden beds. For pots, choose a container at least 50 centimetres wide and deep.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil or potting mix, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Paired feature: Set either side of an entry or gate, 1.5 to 2.5 metres apart depending on the opening.

Row or avenue of balls: 1.2 to 1.5 metres apart so each ball stays separate and reads as a rhythm.

Pot or urn: A container at least 60 centimetres wide and deep suits a single ball on a terrace or entry.

Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year in topiary form.

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Plants in pots dry out faster and need checking through hot weather.

Mulching: Apply a 3 to 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone in the garden, or a thin layer of decorative pebbles in pots, keeping it clear of the stem.

Clipping: Two light clips a year hold the ball form, one in spring and one in late summer or early autumn. Use sharp shears and step back often to check symmetry. Avoid cutting hard into old bare wood, which reshoots slowly.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release general-purpose fertiliser in early spring and again in autumn for steady growth and consistent foliage colour.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that is needed.

Frost: Frost sensitive. Keep to frost-free or lightly frost-prone positions and protect young plants through their first winters.

Planting Your Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls in Different Soil

Metrosideros excelsa performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.