{"product_id":"metrosideros-thomasii-balls","title":"Thomasii Pohutukawa (Ball) - Metrosideros ‘Thomasii’","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\u003eThomasii Pohutukawa (Ball) - Metrosideros ‘Thomasii’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Thomasii’ is the compact, dense growing form of the New Zealand Christmas tree, selected for tight branching and small leathery leaves rather than the 15m spreading habit of the wild species. Clipped into a ball, this \u003cem\u003eMetrosideros\u003c\/em\u003e gives you a coastal hardy formal element that still produces the brilliant red bottlebrush flowers in early summer. It is the plant to reach for when a formal sphere has to survive salt wind, sandy soil and full exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Thomasii Pohutukawa Balls\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e: Built for salt spray, sand and constant onshore wind, conditions that destroy box and gardenia.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Flowers\u003c\/strong\u003e: Crimson stamen flowers appear around December over the dense grey green canopy.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTight Branching\u003c\/strong\u003e: The compact form clips into a genuinely solid sphere without opening up in the middle.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Established plants hold form through dry summers with little supplementary water.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow Maintenance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Slow, dense growth means one or two clips a year keeps the shape crisp.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBeachfront Formal Planting\u003c\/strong\u003e: Delivers clipped geometry in exposed coastal gardens where little else holds shape.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLarge Exposed Pots\u003c\/strong\u003e: Tolerates the heat, wind and drying that container planting on a terrace imposes.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLow Clipped Hedge\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted close together the balls merge into a dense wind tolerant formal hedge.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDriveway and Path Rhythm\u003c\/strong\u003e: Repeated spheres along a hard edge in full sun and reflected heat.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 to 0.9m for a merged hedge\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.2 to 1.8m as individual balls\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring and autumn; avoid cold wet winter soil in southern districts\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil including poor sandy coastal ground. Avoid heavy clay that holds winter water around the roots.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly through the first summer while the root system establishes, then taper to occasional deep soakings. Mulch clear of the stems, clip after flowering to preserve the following season's display, and protect young plants from hard frost, which this species will not tolerate.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 to 1.2m as a maintained ball, to 2.5m if left unclipped\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Equal to height, held by clipping\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to moderate\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Species native to coastal North Island, New Zealand\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crimson red, in early summer\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"500mm","offer_id":59795372048670,"sku":"ND-1211-500MM","price":1925.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/QhQblWhg5an4vzeBzzGbx_7Q7ok5tb.jpg?v=1787314449","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-thomasii-balls","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}