Metrosideros umbellata
Metrosideros umbellata
Anyone tried this tree?
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.
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.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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.
Never heard of any up in our part of the world. Might be worth a try somewhere like Howick, though.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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.
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.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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.
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.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Nice flower, looks something in between a Camelia and an Azalea
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering.Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space.
Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.
Here's a couple more pictures.
Flowers
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
MikeC wrote:I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering.Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space.
Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.
Here's a couple more pictures.
Flowers
Thats a point, being 54 means I'll have to think big.
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.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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?
At what point might I risk it outdoors over the winter, or maybe in the garage?
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Mine has sustained some frost damage over the last week.
I've brought them inside now under a desk lamp.
I've brought them inside now under a desk lamp.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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.MikeC wrote:I don't think it's a fast grower. From what I've read it takes 20 years to maturity to start flowering.Bob wrote:Cracking looking tree, if only I had the space.
Mine are 6 inches tall, so hopefully before I die.
Here's a couple more pictures.
Flowers
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
Hi Nigel - Metrosideros excelsa is more frost tender than the other 2x main forms found here in New Zealand ( M.umbellata and M.robusta )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.
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
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
I would not recommend growing these by seed, they take far too long to flower.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.
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.
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
I have to say I am in love with that plant Mike
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
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
Re: Metrosideros umbellata
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.
Loving the pink one too.