Metrosideros
Iron tree
- Height × spread
- 1.5m – 8m × 0.8m – 4.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 50 species of these, and they may be shrubs, climbers or trees. The foliage is often aromatic and many have delightful bottlebrush flowers in shades of white, pink, red, yellow and orange. They are found in parts of the southern hemisphere, especially Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines as well as islands in that region. There are a good number of ornamental cultivars some having variegated foliage and some having particularly fine flowers. They are not very hardy and may not survive outside except in warmer parts of the UK. They are often grown in containers in conservatories or greenhouses and can be pruned for containment.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green, White, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 1.5m – 8m
- Spread
- 0.8m – 4.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water until well established
Until well established, plants in the ground should be watered deeply at regular intervals after a dry period. This is likely to be 1 and 2 weeks without rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.