|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Category: Tree |
| Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtles) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Metrosideros excelsus, M. tomentosa] |
| Height: 20-30 feet |
| Width: 10-15 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
|
|
|
|
Metrosideros excelsa (New Zealand Christmas Tree) - This narrow upright evergreen tree will take full sun and is drought tolerant. Scarlet flowers appear in spring through summer. It can reach up to 20 to 30 feet tall by about 12 to 15 feet wide. It does well in seaside conditions and is hardy to about 25-30 degrees F. Useful for its narrow upright habit. A great street tree in Santa Barbara. Is it M excelsus or M. excelsa: seems that many US sources (Sunset, Hortus) cite the specific epithet as "excelsus" while most British and New Zealand sources (RHS Exncyclopaedia, Flora of New Zealand) use "excelsa". Since this tree hails from New Zealand we follow their spelling of "excelsa". We have grown this plant in bush and tree form off and on since our nursery was extablished in 1979. This plant is availbable from many sources but we no longer grow it.
The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens in the Santa Barbara area. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.
|
| |
|
|
|
