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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtles) |
| Origin: Pacific Islands |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Yellow/Chartreuse Foliage: Yes |
| Variegated Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
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Metrosideros collina 'Tahitian Sunset' (Dwarf Variegated Pohutukawa) - A colorful slow growing and dwarf-growing sport of M. collina 'Tahiti' that grows into a well-rounded shrub to 3 feet tall by slightly narrower width with very attractive cream variegated foliage. New growth is soft like velvet and flushed with pink-red colors on the new growth in winter and spring. Complementing the foliage are clusters of coral-red bottle-bush like flowers that emerge from white buds intermittently throughout the year. Plant in full coastal sun to light shade. Cold hardy to around 28° F and likely tolerant of coastal conditions. The ultimate size of this plant is not actually known as it has not been grown long enough in cultivation. Ultimate size for this plant is listed as the same as for the parent plant though it has shorter internode length and is slower growing so this plant may actually remain smaller or take a longer time to reach this size. We trialed this plant at our nursery for PlantHaven starting in 2005 but the plant has since been turned over to a New Zealand company, Kia Ora Flora, for marking and has US Plant Patent 20,492 issued in November 2009. This cultivar was discovered as a naturally occurring branch mutation of Metrosideros collina `Tahiti` by Malcolm Woolmore 2004 in a cultivated area of Auckland, New Zealand. This plant and Metrosideros 'Tahiti' are sometimes listed as cultivars of Metrosideros collina and at times as cultivars of M. kermadecensis, a plant coming from the Kermadec Islands that lie about 500 miles north-east of New Zealand. Metrosideros kermadecensis is very closely related if not a synonym to Metrosideros collina var. villosa, a variety native to several Polynesian Islands which is also closely related to the Hawaiian species Metrosideros polymorpha. The genus name Metrosideros is derived from the Greek words 'metra' for "heartwood" and and 'sideron' for "iron", in reference to the hard wood of the genus. We grew this plant from 2009 until 2012 - we were originally really excited about this plant but it was very slow growing and then did not perform well in the garden so we have discontinued growing it.
The information about Metrosideros 'Tahitian Sunset' PP20,492 displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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