Metrosideros kermadecensis, commonly known as New Zealand Christmas Bush, is an evergreen tree or large shrub, originally from the volcanic soils of the Kermadec Islands, located northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. It typically reaches up to 15 meters in height with a trunk diameter of 1 meter or more. The New Zealand Christmas Bush is characterized by its dense, rounded canopy and leathery, dark green leaves. It produces a spectacular display of vibrant red flowers, mainly composed of a mass of stamens, which bloom profusely and are particularly showy, attracting various pollinators. The flowering season peaks in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer, coinciding with the Christmas season, hence its common name.

The plant is valued for its striking floral display and is used in New Zealand for urban planting, as a specimen tree, and for coastal landscaping due to its salt tolerance. It is also popular as a hedge or screen plant. The variegated form adds ornamental variety to home gardens. Metrosideros kermadecensis requires full sun to thrive, benefits from medium water availability, and prefers well-drained soils. It is relatively easy to propagate from fresh seed, and cuttings can be successfully grown from water shoots. While it is a robust plant, it can be susceptible to root rot if drainage is poor. Gardeners should be aware that in some environments, such as Hawaii, it has become naturalized and may show invasive tendencies.CC BY-SA 4.0