Variegated New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa 'Aureus') Plant - Flowering Shrubs. The New Zealand Christmas Tree botanically belongs to the Myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It is native to several regions of New Zealand. It is an evergreen tree or shrub, large in size, reaching a height of up to about 25 m. It has a slow growth rate, an upright appearance, a spherical shape of non-regular outline and a medium density crown. The leaves are opposite, simple, leathery, elliptic to oblong in shape, with entire margins, their undersides covered with dense white hairs, and their colour is green with yellow spots. The flowers, which appear from late spring to late summer, are red in colour, borne on an cyme inflorescence. The New Zealand Christmas Tree is an easy-to-grow plant. It can adapt to a variety of outdoor environments as it is adaptable to almost any soil type, as long as it has excellent drainage, and in areas with mild winters. It is used both in gardening and in landscape architecture as a specimen, in group plantings and in compositions. Thanks to its high resistance to salt sprays, it is even planted in seaside gardens.
► It is offered at a price determined by the particular characteristics of the plant, such as the size of the pot, its height, age and shape. Large plants are also available for sale (and planting) upon prior arrangement. In any case, the price or prices listed are indicative.
| FOLIAGE | Evergreen | |
| HEIGHT | 4.50-6.00 m (up to 25 m) | |
| DIAMETER | 3.50-4.50 m (up to 12 m) | |
| EXPOSURE | Sun | |
| MINIMUM TEMPERATURES | From -1 to -4 °C | |
| WATERING | Little | |
| SOIL | Medium | |
| SOIL pH | Acidic to Alkaline (6 - 8) | |
| FLOWERS |
Red |
|
| FLOWERING SEASON | Late Spring-Late Summer | |
| SEASIDE PLANTING | Yes |
| Plants | |
| Plants Category | Gardening & Landscape Plants |
| Plants Type | Flowering Shrubs |
| Genus | Metrosideros |
| Species | excelsa-syn.tomentosa |
| Variety | Aureus |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Leaves Color | Yellow-Green |
| Autumn Foliage Color | Yellow-Green |
| Color of Flowers | Red |
| Flowering | May-August |
| Fragance | No |
| Fruit | Grey Capsule |
| Soil | Sand, Loam, Clay |
| pH of Soil | Range: 6 - 8. Optimum: 6.5 - 7 |
| Irrigation | Little |
| Thorns | No |
| Toxicity | The plant is not toxic |
| Respiratory Allergies | No |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Plant Uses | Planters & Pots, Beds and Borders, Parks & Gardens, Coastal Areas |