Description

An impressive ornamental tree that may grow quite large, but also be maintained as a shrub or hedge; bright red bottlebrush flowers in winter create a dazzling display; very frost sensitive

Landscape Attributes

Pohutukawa is an evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

Pohutukawa is recommended for the following landscape applications;

Planting & Growing

Pohutukawa will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 40 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is not originally from North America.