Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Trees
Exotic (New Zealand) - NEMBA Category 3 invasive | Moderate Care | Tree
The New Zealand Christmas tree is a tough, handsome, coastal evergreen with glossy dark green leaves (silver-felted underneath) and spectacular clusters of crimson, bottlebrush-like flowers in summer. It handles wind, salt spray and coastal exposure as well as any tree you can plant, and it makes a dense, effective hedge or screen. The variegated form adds cream and green leaf patterning.
Important regulatory note: Metrosideros excelsa is listed as a Category 3 invasive alien plant under South Africa's National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). Category 3 means it may no longer be planted in new positions, though existing established plants do not have to be removed. If you already have one, you can maintain it, but you should not plant new specimens. We stock the variegated form, which is less vigorous than the species, but we recommend checking your local regulations and the latest NEMBA lists before purchasing. We can suggest excellent indigenous alternatives for coastal hedging, including coastal camphor bush, coastal silver oak and white milkwood, that do the same job without the regulatory concern.
5 to 10 m, slow-growing. Can be kept much smaller as a hedge.
Slow.
Coastal hedge, screen, windbreak (subject to NEMBA restrictions on new plantings).
Full sun to part shade.
Well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline. Handles sandy coastal soil.
Drought-tolerant once established. Water while settling in.
A slow-release fertiliser in spring while young.
Takes well to pruning and clipping. Prune to shape or maintain as a hedge.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of trees and large shrubs. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right tree for your spot.
