{"product_id":"metrosideros-kermadecensis-variegata","title":"Variegated Kermadec Pohutukawa - Metrosideros kermadecensis ‘Variegata’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVariegated Kermadec Pohutukawa - Metrosideros kermadecensis ‘Variegata’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe variegated Kermadec pohutukawa is grown for foliage first: small leathery leaves with an irregular creamy yellow margin around a grey-green centre, dense enough that the whole plant reads as pale gold from a distance. Crimson brush flowers appear through summer and, unusually for the genus, in scattered flushes at other times of year. Coming from an exposed island group in the Pacific, \u003cem\u003eMetrosideros kermadecensis\u003c\/em\u003e is built for salt wind, which makes this one of the most reliable variegated plants for a beachfront garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Variegated Kermadec Pohutukawa\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBright variegation\u003c\/strong\u003e: The creamy leaf margin lightens dark corners and reads as colour without relying on flowers.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtended flowering\u003c\/strong\u003e: This species flowers over a longer and less predictable season than the strictly summer pohutukawas.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalt spray hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e: Direct coastal exposure and onshore wind cause no leaf burn, which few variegated plants can claim.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShears cleanly\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small dense leaves allow it to be clipped as a formal hedge or shaped specimen.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eControlled size\u003c\/strong\u003e: The variegated form grows more slowly and stays smaller than the plain green species.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal hedge\u003c\/strong\u003e: A clipped row gives a bright, salt proof boundary on exposed seaside blocks.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight in shaded corners\u003c\/strong\u003e: The pale foliage brightens spaces where dark evergreens make a garden feel closed.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCourtyard specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e: Grown on a short trunk it makes a compact feature tree for a paved area.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge containers\u003c\/strong\u003e: It performs well long term in pots and tolerates the root restriction and wind of balconies.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring or early autumn in frost free districts\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining sandy or loamy soil. It accepts poor and shallow ground but not waterlogging, and cold wet winter soil is its main weakness inland.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water twice a week through the first summer and taper off as growth takes hold, since it becomes notably drought tolerant. Mulch to keep the surface roots cool, trim after the main flowering flush to keep the plant dense, and cut out any fully green shoots as soon as they appear so the vigorous plain growth does not take over the variegated form.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen, variegated with creamy yellow margins\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for strongest variegation; tolerates part shade\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kermadec Islands, New Zealand (parent species)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crimson red\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"45L","offer_id":59795263455518,"sku":"ND-1210-45L","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/fhFjcQ-klJFA2b1BzdDa3_8sESgxZO.jpg?v=1787311250","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-kermadecensis-variegata","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}