Ohia Lehua In Hawaii
Metrosideros collina 'Springfire'
SKU
06171
Selected for its abundant flowering and compact, upright form. Excellent as a medium-sized flowering hedge, requiring little pruning. Thrives in coastal conditions. Evergreen.
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Full sun, Partial sun
Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat.
We no longer grow this plant
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| Botanical Pronunciation | me-tro-si-DE-ros kol-LIN-a |
|---|---|
| Lore | The flowers of this plant were held sacred to the Hawaiian goddess of the volcano, Pele. No Metrosideros flower could be picked without making a suitable sacrifice to the goddess. If one neglected to do so she would cause rain to fall on the offender. |
| Average Size at Maturity | Compact, upright growth to 6 to 8 ft. tall, 3 to 4 ft. wide. |
| Bloom Time | Mid-spring through mid-summer |
| Design Ideas | This is one of the best evergreen shrubs for salt air along coastlines from California across the South to the Atlantic. With its lovely foliage and bright flowers, it makes a nice courtyard specimen or a colorful foundation plant around the home. Very nice in semiformal hedges around patios and small gardens that open onto common areas of planned communities. Because it is resistant to windburn, feel free to plant it out in the open. Its drought resistance makes it perfect for California's arid south coast. |
| Deciduous/ Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Flower Attribute | Showy Flowers |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Garden Style | Tropical |
| Growth Habit | Compact |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Landscape Use | Border, Container, Privacy Screen, Woodland Garden, Coastal Exposure |
| Light Needs | Full sun, Partial sun |
| Soil Needs | Tree & Shrub Food |
| Special Feature | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Easy Care, Tolerates Alkaline Soil, Waterwise, Compact Form |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Watering Needs | Needs regular watering - weekly, or more often in extreme heat. |
| Companion Plants | Plant this beautiful semitropical shrub with other bold accents, such as the bushy Variegated Dwarf Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora 'Francis Mason'), Pink Splendor Mirror Plant (Coprosma repens 'Pink Splendor') and Dwarf New Zealand Tea Tree (Leptospermum scoparium 'Nanum Ruru'). Looks great with Glendora White Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Glendora White') and Compact Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens 'Compactum'). In warmer winter climates, try it with the soft-colored Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha). |
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering.
This Plant's Growing Zones: 9-11
Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:
Your climate may be too cold for this plant