(Metrosideros)

('Ohi'a Lehua, Ohi'a, Vunga)

Behold one of the Hawaiian Islands' most magnificent native plants! Ohi'a is a highly variable broadleaf evergreen. Its habit varies depending on the environment; in arid mountainous habitats it grows as a low, prostrate shrub but in lush volcanic tropical rainforests is becomes a large, upright, rounded tree. The valuable wood of ohi'a was traditionally held sacred by the Hawaiian people and used to carve images of war gods and temple icons. Today, its bright red flowers are made into leis. Ohi'a...

('Ohi'a Lehua, Springfire Ohi'a, Vunga)

A shrubby ohi'a, 'Springfire' bears spectacular clusters of fiery red pompon-like flowers atop attractive, rounded plants. Though considered compact relative to standard ohi'a, it still becomes a sizable, upright shrub when mature.

Behold one of the Hawaiian Islands' most magnificent native plants! Ohi'a is a highly variable broadleaf evergreen. Its habit varies depending on the environment; in arid mountainous habitats it grows as a low, prostrate shrub but in lush volcanic tropical rainforests...

(New Zealand Christmas Tree, Pohutukawa)

With brilliant crimson blossoms in late spring and early summer, the pohutukawa, or New Zealand Christmas tree, is among the world's most beautiful flowering trees. Native to New Zealand, it blooms there in December, which is summertime in the southern hemisphere. This broadleaf evergreen tree develops an upright, rounded canopy. Its root system is extensive and problematic because the surface roots crack and lift sidewalks and patios if growing space is limited.

Young plants resemble shrubs...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa)

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa is native only to Raoul Island (in the Kermadec Islands group), from the coast to the highest elevations, in both arid and rainforest habitats. Usually it develops into a multi-trunked tree with a spreading, dome-like growth habit. The grayish brown bark is smooth to plated.

The...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa, Tahiti Kermadec Pohutukawa)

The exceptionally small 'Tahiti' is a very compact form of this typically large tree. It blooms continuously, but most heavily from late winter to spring, producing clusters of pretty, puffy orange-red blooms.

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa is native only to Raoul Island (in the Kermadec Islands group),...

(Dwarf Pohutukawa, Kermadec Pohutukawa, Variegated Kermadec Pohutukawa)

Variegated Kermadec pohutukawa is shrubby form of this typically large tree that offers attractive pale yellow and green variegated foliage year round. It blooms continuously, but most heavily from late winter to spring, producing clusters of pretty, puffy scarlet blooms.

A rare broadleaf evergreen tree from New Zealand, the Kermadec pohutukawa bears pompon-like scarlet flowers that look very much like those of the New Zealand Christmas tee (Metrosideros excelsa). Kermadec pohutukawa...