Other Names:  Lehua Tree, Metrosideros polymorpha

Description:

An impressive ornamental large shrub or small tree that may be maintained as a hedge; bright orange-red bottlebrush flowers from winter to early summer create a dazzling display; frost sensitive

Ornamental Features

Springfire Ohi'a Lehua features showy clusters of red frilly flowers with orange overtones at the ends of the branches from late winter to early summer, which emerge from distinctive white flower buds. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy oval leaves are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Springfire Ohi'a Lehua is a multi-stemmed evergreen tree with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Springfire Ohi'a Lehua is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Springfire Ohi'a Lehua will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Springfire Ohi'a Lehua is a fine choice for the yard, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Its large size and upright habit of growth lend it for use as a solitary accent, or in a composition surrounded by smaller plants around the base and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.