Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

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Photo by Stan Shebs

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Metrosideros umbellata [Wangaloa]

Also Known As

Metrosideros umbellata
Ironwood
Southern Rātā
Southern Rata

Plant type

tree, shrub

size

H: 10'-15'
W: 8'-12'

planting zones

8b-10b

Metrosideros umbellata [Wangaloa] plant details

Metrosideros umbellata [Wangaloa] is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree with green foliage. In fall, summer and winter orange and red flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and seaside / salt tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Metrosideros umbellata [Wangaloa]

Plant type: shrub or tree
Plant family: myrtaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 8 FT - 12 FT - wide, 10 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: orange and red blooms in fall, summer and winter
Uses: rare, showy, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Metrosideros umbellata [Wangaloa]

USDA Zones: 8b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: humidity and seaside / salt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This collection from New Zealand's South Island is from one of the colder habitats of one of the most frost hardy of the New Zealand Christmas tree species -- hopefully making these wonderful creatures available to more gardeners. This shrub or small tree grows slowly, eventually reaching 10 or 15 ft or a bit more, with narrow, shiny, bright green leaves and a dense habit, making it a fine garden plant for formality or screen. Mature plants are topped in early summer with bright red, powder puff flowers, magic for bees and hummingbirds. Sun to part shade with regular summer water. As these prefer cooler soils, they are probably not a plant for the US South. We expect these to be fully frost hardy to 15F, mid USDA zone 8, and possibly lower -- let us know. We are very excited to offer this form as we've been looking for hardier southern rata for many years and we think we might have found it.