J
Ornamentals
New Zealand Christmas tree
Metrosideros excelsa
A New Zealand tree with tufted red flowers; tolerates wind and salt, widely planted on the Azores and Portuguese coasts.
- Light
- Full sun (6 h or more)
- Height
- 5–10 m
- Watering
- Moderate: 2–3 times a week in summer
- Soil
- loose and well-drained
- Edible?
- No: ornamental
- How to plant
- Dig a 60×60 cm hole with compost; 5 m from other trees. Water deeply after planting.
- Care
- Ideal as a seaside windbreak. Suffers below –3 °C. Prune lightly in late winter to shape.
Calendar by climate
Warm coast
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mild Mediterranean
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Southern interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Continental interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cold interior and uplands
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Atlantic
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canary Islands (subtropical)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SowPlantHarvestPruneFeedTreat
Dates are for growing outdoors, based on the local climate. In a greenhouse or tunnel everything comes earlier.
Feeding and doses
Mild Mediterranean
Not needed.
Pest prevention and doses
Mild Mediterranean
Not needed.
How easy to grow by climate
- Warm coastNeeds regular careToo warm a climate
- Mild MediterraneanNeeds regular careHot, dry summers
- Southern interiorDifficultExtreme summer heat
- Continental interiorNot recommended outdoorsFrost and a short season
- Cold interior and uplandsNot recommended outdoorsHard, long frosts
- AtlanticEasy
- Canary Islands (subtropical)Easy
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