Metrosideros umbellata

MikeC

Metrosideros umbellata

Post by MikeC »

Anyone tried this tree?
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Supposed to be fairly hardy, grows along the coast of NZ south island, so gets cool summers.

I absolutely love the look of this, imagine a backdrop of these all in flower at the end of your garden.
Conifers
Posts: 13147
Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:11 pm
Location: Northumbs

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Conifers »

TROBI lists one 14m tall in County Cork.

Never heard of any up in our part of the world. Might be worth a try somewhere like Howick, though.
Nigel Fear

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Nigel Fear »

Killed a Metrosideros [excelsa] I think it was here.
I think there are some hardier forms though I'm not all that up on the genus. superb flowers though aren't they?

Got mine from Urban jungle.
MikeC

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by MikeC »

I've got three Metrosideros umbellata in pots now in the kitchen on the windowsil.

They are about 6 inches tall, so will need growing on for quite some years before I'll plant them out against a south facing wall.

Look like bonsai trees at the moment. :lol:
Bob

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Bob »

Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space. icon_aaargh
Adrian

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Adrian »

Nice flower, looks something in between a Camelia and an Azalea
MikeC

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by MikeC »

Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space. icon_aaargh
I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering. :shock:

Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.

icon_cheers

Here's a couple more pictures.

Flowers

Image

Image
Bob

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Bob »

MikeC wrote:
Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space. icon_aaargh
I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering. :shock:

Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.

icon_cheers

Here's a couple more pictures.

Flowers

Image

Image

Thats a point, being 54 means I'll have to think big. :lol:

When I saw the first pic, I thought Embothrium. Theres a big one up my road that I get to drool over when its in flower.
LONGK

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by LONGK »

Mine has doubled in size over the last two years - it now stands 40cm tall! Very slow growing.
At what point might I risk it outdoors over the winter, or maybe in the garage?
MikeC

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by MikeC »

Mine has sustained some frost damage over the last week.
Some frost damage.
Some frost damage.
I've brought them inside now under a desk lamp.
Rod

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Rod »

MikeC wrote:
Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space. icon_aaargh
I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering. :shock:

Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.

icon_cheers

Here's a couple more pictures.

Flowers

Image

Image
Hi Mike - Try and find a cutting grown one, they are in flower when you buy them at the garden centre and are still only 3-feet tall.
Rod

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Rod »

Nigel Fear wrote:Killed a Metrosideros [excelsa] I think it was here.
I think there are some hardier forms though I'm not all that up on the genus. superb flowers though aren't they?

Got mine from Urban jungle.
Hi Nigel - Metrosideros excelsa is more frost tender than the other 2x main forms found here in New Zealand ( M.umbellata and M.robusta )
These 2x should take down to -6° to -7°c when larger and established in the ground.
M.excelsa is only hardy down to -4°c
Rod

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by Rod »

MikeC wrote:I've got three Metrosideros umbellata in pots now in the kitchen on the windowsil.

They are about 6 inches tall, so will need growing on for quite some years before I'll plant them out against a south facing wall.

Look like bonsai trees at the moment. :lol:
I would not recommend growing these by seed, they take far too long to flower.
Try and find cutting grown specimens, as they are in flower when you buy them at the garden centre. That's how we grow them here in New Zealand.
Attachments
Rata-tree.jpg
kata

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by kata »

I have to say I am in love with that plant Mike :lol: :lol:

Red is my favorite color too. I tracked the pink version.

Southern rata

One of the hardiest species which will thrive outside in Cornwall. Coppery young leaves and bright crimson flowers
Burncoose Catalogue Code

Evergreen
Tall Shrub - loosely-branching habit.
Hardiness Rating
Frost hardy - Plant can withstand temperatures down to -5°C (23°F)
Full Sun - protect from drying winds
Greenhouse or Conservatory - Not the sort of plants to be grown outside where there are likely to be frosts. These plants need to be grown in a conservatory or cool greenhouse or at least brought inside for the winter
Soil Conditions
Fertile moist well-drained soil - humus-rich
Neutral to acid soil
Flowers In Jul Aug

Buy METROSIDEROS umbellata
Pot size: 2.5 or 3 Litre

£12.50 each

http://www.burncoose.co.uk/site/plants. ... pl_id=2925
Metrosiderosumbellatuspinka.png
MikeC

Re: Metrosideros umbellata

Post by MikeC »

I've got three of the red variety that are tiny (a few inches tall, a small cutting really) and two larger red ones about a foot or so tall, very bushy.

Loving the pink one too.
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