Springfire (Metrosideros collina X)

Springfire (Metrosideros collina X)Springfire (Metrosideros collina X) Hardy evergreen coastal tree with deep green foliage and orange red to bright tomato red brush like flowers in summer. Springfire is a hybrid between Pohutukawa and the Tahiti species Metrosideros collina. Grows to a height of 2m 6m with spread of up to 3. 5m. Attracts nectar eating birds as well as pollinators. Sustains coastal wind and salt conditions, moderate drought, poor soils, and light frost. Thrives in full

Coastal or ripirian

excelsa enjoys robust growth similar to its red counterparts up to an approximate maximum height of 10m with a spreading deep-green canopy up to 10m wide

Scarce now in north

Sirocco (Metrosideros excelsa x robusta) – A hardy coastal evergreen natural hybrid between Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) and Northern Rata (Metrosideros robusta)

Smallish white flowers (the only white-flowered rata species) Oct-Nov

some shade

Needs moisture

Tolerant of relatively infertile soils on exposed ridges

Fast up to 6m @10 yrs

Endemic in the Far North

and frost when mature

From Banks Peninsula north