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Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
Nursery & Gardens open: Mon - Sat 08.30 - 16.30 & Sun 10:00 - 16:00
Pop up café: Open Daily (weather permitting) 10:00 - 15:00 & Sunday 11:00 - 15:00
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    METROSIDEROS
    METROSIDEROS
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    METROSIDEROS METROSIDEROS METROSIDEROS METROSIDEROS CERATOSTIGMA willmottianum and METROSIDEROS © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    METROSIDEROS

    Commonly known as New Zealand Christmas tree

    These plants produce exquisite bottle-brush like flowers but they are frost tender and suitable for outdoor growing only in the Scilly Isles or West Cornwall. They do however make excellent conservatory plants but be prepared for aerial roots

    Genus of 50 species of dwarf to tall. upright, evergreen shrubs, trees and climbers found in rainforests, dry river valleys and subalpine areas.

    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Exotic plants
    • Good to know
      Shrubby under protection in UK. Might require restrictive pruning under glass.
    • Pests & Diseases
      Scale insects under glass.
    • Place of origin
      A selection from a cultivated variety from Parnell Rose Garden, Auckland, New Zealand
    • Evergreen
      leaves, 5-10cm (2-4in) long, semi-glossy, white-felted beneath.
    • Red
      Orange red
    • Trumpet
    • Greenhouse / 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
    • Half hardy (down to 0)
    • Entire
    • Elliptic
    • Oblong
    • Height
      2m (6½ft) plus
    • Spread
      2m (6½ft) plus
    • Medium shrub
      Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
      Freely branching shrub. Produces broad, compact, many-flowered, terminal cymes of flowers 3-4cm (1¼-1½in) long.
    • Pruning group 1
      Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
      Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
      When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.

    • Tender - cool or frost free greenhouse
      Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen. Except in frost-free inner-city areas or coastal extremities requires glasshouse conditions. Plant can withstand temperatures down to 1°C (34°F)
    • Autumn Seasonal Interest
    • Spring Seasonal Interest
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Winter Seasonal Interest
    • Fertile moist well-drained soil
      Humus-rich.
    • Neutral to acid soil
    • Full sun
    • Broadly conical
      Spreading with age
    • Rounded to broadly spreading
    • Mature Size
      2m (6½ft) plus
      		 Medium Shrub - guide for size not form Average Person
        2m (6½ft) plus
      		  
    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
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    View Planting Combinations

    varieties
    METROSIDEROS kermadecensis 'Tahiti'
    Dwarf habit, rounded leaves and clusters of orange red flowers
     
    1 to 1.5 Litre
    £18.50
    Available from July 2026
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    METROSIDEROS robusta
    Northern rata
    The hardiest of all the metrosideros which grew at Caerhays for many years. Coppery-scarlet flowers. Much more tender when young as those who have pinched seedlings from Tresco discover to their cost
     
    1 to 1.5 Litre
    £18.50
    Available late spring to early summer 2026
    Spring according to the Met Office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore late spring is mid-April onwards. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    METROSIDEROS umbellata
    Southern rata
    One of the hardiest species which will thrive outside in Cornwall. Coppery young leaves and bright crimson flowers
     
    2 to 3 Litre
    £18.50
    Unavailable
    Notify me when this plant is available to order

    Useful extras...

    Vermin & Pest Control
    SB Plant Invigorator
    This is a non-biological non-chemical plant insecticide and mildewcide. Works against the physical motion of the insect. Perfect for all plants and edible crops.
    500 ml
    £8.00
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Afterplant - Tomatoes
    AFTER PLANT TOMATO FEED Liquid Concentrate with Bio stimulant is a high potash liquid concentrate containing seaweed extract, plant derived amino acids and other nutrients specifically formulated to benefit tomatoes and greenhouse plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    Wildflower Mini Meadow
    Creates a mini-meadow for attracting bees, butterflies and bugs to your garden. 200g sachet which will cover 3 square metres. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi.
    3m²
    £7.00
    10m²
    £15.50
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