If I was going to spend 15 quid on a shrub then it would have to be the red...beautiful Mike!!
They do have a red Mike
METROSIDEROS excelsa 'Parnell' but not till April.
Metrosideros umbellata
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
This is a variety we grow here in Christchurch.
It is a natural hybrid between M.excelsa & M.umbellata
It is a natural hybrid between M.excelsa & M.umbellata
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
My pot grown (60cm) specimen is bearing up well in the light frosts we've had. I'm holding off bringing it under cover as long as I dare, as the house move seems likely (next Feb?) and I have just the spot lined up for it - an eight foot south facing wall. Two Clianthus puniceus (red and white) to go with it, plus maybe my Polygala myrtifolia (which continues to flower despite the frost).
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Thanks Rod, was a long time ago now, when I had my M. Excelsa [or should I say ex-excelsa], it had the silvery sheen to the leaves, but I'll loook out for one of the other forms.Rod wrote:
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
Interesting that bit you said about sourcing a plant derived from cuttings with flowers attached, to ensure flowering I'll try doing that.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Hi Nigel - Yeah because of the fact that they take very long to flower from seed, all the garden centres propagate them via cutting to ensure instant flowering upon purchase. ( People are more likely to buy them )Nigel Fear wrote:Thanks Rod, was a long time ago now, when I had my M. Excelsa [or should I say ex-excelsa], it had the silvery sheen to the leaves, but I'll loook out for one of the other forms.Rod wrote:
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
Interesting that bit you said about sourcing a plant derived from cuttings with flowers attached, to ensure flowering I'll try doing that.
I will be going down to my local garden centre during this month, and i will take a picture of some in pots in flower to show you.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Heres my small 16 inch tall, cutting grown Metrosideros 'maungapiko ( M.excelsa x M.umbellata ) It will be flowering in a week or two.
The last photo is of a Metrosideros umbellata growing 465km off the southern coast of New Zealand at latitude 50°43' south
The last photo is of a Metrosideros umbellata growing 465km off the southern coast of New Zealand at latitude 50°43' south
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Very nice Rod, makes me all the more determined to grow one.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Metrosideros umbellata see's temperatures down to -10°c in the Arthurs Pass region of New Zealand.