{"product_id":"metrosideros-excelsa-topiary-balls","title":"Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMetrosideros excelsa\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCoastal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin:44px 0 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14px;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:1.5px;margin:0 0 8px;padding-top:32px;border-top:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);text-transform:uppercase;color:currentColor;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 24px;color:currentColor;opacity:0.65;font-size:14px;font-style:italic;\"\u003eAbout Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhat is Metrosideros excelsa?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eMetrosideros 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow big are the topiary balls?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eWhen does Metrosideros excelsa flower?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eFlowering 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs Metrosideros excelsa salt and wind tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eIs Metrosideros excelsa frost tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eNot 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow often do I need to prune the topiary balls?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eTwo 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-bottom:1px solid rgba(128,128,128,0.25);padding:18px 0;\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"font-weight:500;cursor:pointer;line-height:1.4;padding-right:12px;font-size:16px;color:currentColor;\"\u003eHow do I care for Metrosideros excelsa Topiary Balls?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eWater 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evergreen Trees Direct","offers":[{"title":"100L","offer_id":46624177193159,"sku":"METEXC100L","price":730.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/4945\/4279\/files\/MetrosiderosexcelsaNana100L.png?v=1785210909","url":"https:\/\/www.evergreentrees.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-excelsa-topiary-balls","provider":"Evergreen Trees Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}