Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Evergreen · Full Sun
Mature size: 2m–3m high × 2m–3m wide
- Evergreen
- Full Sun
- Mature height2m–3m
- Mature width2m–3m
- Frost Sensitive
- Good in pots
- Flowers
Most loved for its dense grey-green foliage and crimson early summer flowers on a compact frame that clips cleanly into balls, low hedges and pots.
Regular price
$890.00
Sale price
$890.00
Regular price
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Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 50cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
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 must confirm 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.
Quantity
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Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 2m to 3m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
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About Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii'
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' is a compact selection of the New Zealand Christmas Bush, also known as Pohutukawa. It is evergreen, slow growing and densely branched, carrying small grey-green leaves on a naturally tight frame. Crimson bottlebrush-like flowers open through early summer and sit well against the muted foliage.
Full sun and free-draining soil give the best result. Coastal exposure and salt-laden wind cause no trouble, so it suits seaside gardens from Sydney down through Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Growth is slow, which keeps clipped shapes tidy between trims. Young plants are frost tender, and established ones handle only light frost.
Mature size sits around 2 to 3 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, small enough for courtyards, entry beds and large pots. It clips readily into balls, low hedges and standards, and holds a crisp line. For a coastal project that needs structure without a heavy maintenance load, this is a sound pick.
The 90L Topiary Ball Form is the same plant grown on and pre-clipped to a formal sphere, ready to place. It suits entry pairs, courtyard pots and the corners of formal beds, and it is one of the few clipped balls that will hold its shape in direct salt wind.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii'
What is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii'?
'Thomasii' is a compact, slow-growing cultivar of the New Zealand Christmas Bush, commonly called Pohutukawa. It is evergreen, with small grey-green leaves held densely on a naturally rounded frame, and it carries crimson bottlebrush-like flowers in early summer. It is a New Zealand plant rather than an Australian native, and is grown here mainly for coastal gardens and clipped work.
What sizes and forms are available?
Two. The 50cm is a natural-form plant for hedging, screening and feature planting, and can be clipped into whatever shape you want. The 90L Topiary Ball Form is a specimen already clipped to a formal sphere, ready to place with no training required.
How big does it grow?
It reaches roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide at maturity, which is far smaller than the full-sized Pohutukawa. Growth is slow, so it takes several years to fill out. Clipped as a hedge or ball it is easily held at 1 to 1.5 metres, and it responds well to regular trimming.
When does it flower?
Flowering runs through early summer, generally November to January in Australia, which is where the common name New Zealand Christmas Bush comes from. The flowers are crimson and bottlebrush-like, made up of fine stamens rather than petals, and they show up strongly against the grey-green foliage. Flowering is lighter on heavily clipped plants, including the ball form.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
Yes. Coastal tolerance is one of its strongest points. It handles salt-laden wind, sandy free-draining soils and direct exposure to the sea front without leaf burn, which is why it is used so widely on the Mornington Peninsula, along the New South Wales coast and in seaside gardens generally. Give it full sun and sharp drainage.
Is it frost tolerant?
Only lightly. Young plants are frost tender and should be protected through their first two winters. Once established it takes light frost without lasting damage, but it is not a choice for the Southern Highlands, Canberra, the Adelaide Hills or other districts with regular heavy frost. Coastal and mild temperate positions suit it best.
Can it grow in pots?
Yes, it is one of the better plants for a large pot, and the ball form was made for it. The slow growth rate and compact habit mean it stays in proportion for years. Use a container at least 50 centimetres wide with a free-draining premium potting mix, and water regularly through summer since pots dry out quickly.
How do I care for it?
Water deeply through the first two summers, then reduce as the roots establish. Apply a slow release fertiliser in early spring, and mulch to about 50 millimetres keeping it clear of the trunk. Trim lightly after flowering to hold shape, and again in early autumn if needed. Avoid cutting hard into old bare wood, as it reshoots slowly.
| Mature height | 2m to 3m |
|---|---|
| Mature width | 2m to 3m |
| Position | Full Sun |
| Growth per year | 10cm to 20cm per year (slow) |
| Frost | Frost Sensitive |
| Foliage | Evergreen (foliage year round) |
| Form | Compact · Dense · Rounded · Topiary Form |
| Uses | Screening or Privacy · Feature Tree · Shrubs · Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots |
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 2m to 3m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (slow).
Long Term Care For Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Planting Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa works in an:
Is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa Evergreen or Deciduous?
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 2m to 3m
Mature Width: 2m to 3m
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (slow).
Growth Rate of Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (slow).
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa
Is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa frost tolerant?
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Does Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa Flower?
Metrosideros 'Thomasii' carries crimson bottlebrush-like flowers through early summer, generally November to January in Australia. The flowers are made up of fine stamens rather than petals and stand out against the grey-green foliage. Flowering is lighter on plants that are clipped hard for formal shapes.
Does Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Red
Is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa an Australian Native Tree?
No
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is Native to New Zealand. Metrosideros is native to the coastal cliffs, headlands and forests of the North Island, where it grows on exposed sites directly above the sea.
What is the Wildlife Value of Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa ?
The nectar-rich crimson flowers draw honeyeaters, native bees and other pollinators through early summer. The dense evergreen canopy also gives small birds year-round shelter, which adds useful habitat value to coastal and courtyard plantings where cover is often scarce.
How much Sunlight does Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa need?
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Metrosideros 'Thomasii' performs best in free-draining sandy or sandy-loam soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It copes with poor coastal sands provided drainage stays sharp. Avoid heavy clay and persistently wet ground, which lead to root rot. Keep soil evenly moist while establishing, then water deeply and less often.
Is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa Drought Tolerant?
Is Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa Drought tolerant?
Young plants need regular water through their first two summers to build a strong root system. Once established Metrosideros 'Thomasii' is reliably drought tolerant, reflecting its origins on exposed coastal headlands, and holds condition through dry spells with only occasional deep watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
50cm
Enquire for current heights
50cm - Topiary Ball Form
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' is loved for its dense grey-green foliage and crimson early summer flowers on a compact frame that clips cleanly into balls, low hedges and pots.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is Coastal Rosemary?
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
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