{"product_id":"metrosideros-thomasii-new-zealand-christmas-bush-pohutukawa","title":"Metrosideros thomasii – New Zealand Christmas Bush \/ Pohutukawa","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMetrosideros\u003c\/em\u003e '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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMature 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.\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 'Thomasii'\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 'Thomasii'?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eMetrosideros 'Thomasii' is a compact, slow-growing selection 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.\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 does Metrosideros 'Thomasii' grow?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eIt 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.\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 'Thomasii' flower?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eFlowering 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.\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 'Thomasii' suitable for coastal positions?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes. 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.\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 'Thomasii' frost tolerant?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eOnly 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.\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;\"\u003eCan Metrosideros 'Thomasii' grow in pots?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eYes, it is one of the better plants for a large pot. The slow growth rate and compact habit mean it stays in proportion for years, and it takes clipping into balls or standards. 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.\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 'Thomasii'?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp style=\"margin:14px 0 0;line-height:1.7;color:currentColor;opacity:0.85;\"\u003eWater 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evergreen Trees Direct","offers":[{"title":"50cm","offer_id":46911598723271,"sku":"METTHO50C","price":790.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/4945\/4279\/files\/metrosiderosthomasii50cm.png?v=1785212760","url":"https:\/\/www.evergreentrees.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-thomasii-new-zealand-christmas-bush-pohutukawa","provider":"Evergreen Trees Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}