Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

$890.00

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Size: 50cm

50cm 50cm - Topiary Ball Form

Current Stock Height Guides

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: 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).

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)

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About Your New Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

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.

Uses in my Garden

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

Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa 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.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

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:

Slow Growth Rate

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?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer

Flower Type:

Fluffy
Pollinator-attracting

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:

Full Sun

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.

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How To Plant Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

Site: Choose a full sun position with free drainage. Coastal exposure and salt wind are fine, but avoid frost hollows and cold inland sites.

Soil preparation: Work coarse compost through the planting area, or use a free-draining premium potting mix in containers.

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

Planting: Set level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

Hedging and screening: 80 centimetres to 1 metre apart for a dense clipped hedge.

Feature or specimen: 1.5 to 2 metres apart so each plant can develop its full rounded form.

Pot or container: A 50 centimetre wide pot suits a single plant for courtyards, entries and balconies.

Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa is expected to grow 10cm to 20cm per year (slow).

Slow Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa

Watering: Water deeply twice a week through the first two summers, then taper off. 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, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Trim lightly after flowering to hold shape, and again in early autumn if needed. 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 plants in pots.

Frost: Protect young plants through their first two winters. Established plants take light frost only.

Planting Your Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa in Different Soil

Metrosideros 'Thomasii' performs best in free-draining sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It adapts to a range of soils provided drainage is sharp and water never sits around the roots.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal, including coastal sand. Mulch to hold moisture through summer.

Clay soil: Improve with gypsum and coarse compost, and mound the planting position to lift the root zone.

Loam: Suits it well and gives steady growth and dense foliage.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Avoid lime-heavy or waterlogged ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How big does Metrosideros 'Thomasii' grow?
A: Roughly 2 to 3 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, and easily held lower with clipping.

Q: When does it flower?
A: Through early summer, generally November to January in Australia.

Q: Is it suitable for coastal positions?
A: Yes, it handles salt-laden wind and sandy soils in direct seaside exposure.

Q: Is it frost tolerant?
A: Only lightly, and young plants are frost tender. Avoid districts with regular heavy frost.

Q: Can it be grown in pots?
A: Yes, it is slow growing and compact, which suits large containers well.

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Metrosideros excelsa 'Thomasii' – New Zealand Christmas Bush / Pohutukawa