Metrosideros robusta
| Metrosideros robusta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 49' |
| Blooms: | Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Metrosideros robusta (common name: northern rata)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[1].
Cultivation: Prefers a well-drained but moisture-retentive lime-free soil in a sunny position[2][1]. Plants are somewhat lime-tolerant but are unsuitable for shallow soils over chalk[1]. Very resistant to maritime exposure[3].
This species is not very hardy in Britain, succeeding outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country where it makes a small shrub[4][2][1].
A very ornamental plant[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal to lower montane forest, south to latitude 42° 30' south, North and South Islands[5]. Often found as an epiphyte, sending its roots down through the moss surrounding its host[3].
Edibility: An edible nectar is obtained from the flowers[6].
Usage: Plants can be used as a hedge, succeeding in exposed maritime positions[3][1].
Wood - dense, hard, heavy, durable. Used for bridges, carriages etc[7][8].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.