Editing Pōhutukawa (section)

==Cultivation==
Pōhutukawa are popular in cultivation, and there are fine examples in most [[North Island]] coastal cities. Vigorous and easy to grow, the tree flourishes well south of its natural range, and has naturalised in the [[Wellington]] area and in the north of the [[South Island]]. It has also naturalised on [[Norfolk Island]] to the north. Pōhutukawa have been introduced to other countries with mild-to-warm climates, including south-eastern Australia, where it is naturalising on coastal cliffs near [[Sydney]]. In coastal [[California]], it is a popular street and lawn tree, but has caused concern in [[San Francisco]] where its root systems are blamed for destroying sewer lines and sidewalks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/27/us/27bcjames.html?_r=0|title=A Green Idea That Sounded Good Until the Trees Went to Work|newspaper=The Bay Citizen|date=27 August 2010|author=Scott James}}</ref> In parts of [[South Africa]], pōhutukawa grow so well that they are regarded as an [[invasive species]]. The Spanish city of [[A Coruña]] has adopted the pōhutukawa as a floral emblem.<ref name="Galbreath">{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/new-zealand-species-overseas/2 |title=New Zealand Plants Overseas|publisher=Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand|access-date=2011-01-07}}</ref>

At least 39 [[cultivar]]s of pōhutukawa have been released. Duncan & Davies nurseries were a leading force in the mid-20th century, while the late Graeme Platt has been responsible for 16 different cultivars so far, including a rare white-flowering tree. Cultivars include:<ref name="MiC1" />
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|-
! Cultivar name
! Year introduced
! Flower colour
! Introduced by
! Notes
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Aurea'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1947
| Greenish-yellow
| Duncan & Davies
| Sourced from [[Mōtītī Island]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Blockhouse Bay'<ref name="MiC1" />
| mid-1980s
| Bright red
| Graeme Platt
| Sourced from  [[Blockhouse Bay|Blockhouse Bay, Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Butterscotch'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1993
| Fire Red<ref>{{cite web|title=Liddle Wonder's Plant Gallery|url=http://archive-nz.com/page/821525/2012-12-03/http://www.liddlewonder.co.nz/gallerylist.php?pageNum_plants=2&totalRows_plants=40&alpha=M|website=Liddle Wonders|publisher=Liddle Wonders Nursary|access-date=15 June 2015}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
| Duncan & Davies
| Reddish stems and reddish-gold new leaves becoming butter-yellow and finally green with age. Sourced from ''M. excelsa'' 'Sunglow'.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Centennial'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| -
| Graeme Platt
| Reverse-variegated cultivar, erect growth habit. Sourced from Auckland Domain centennial plantings.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Christmas Cheer'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| Crimson
| Bob Bayly
| Consistently flowering around Christmas time. Flowers in large clusters.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Dalese'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 2010
| Orange-red<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrosideros excelsa 'Dalese'|url=http://plantthis.co.nz/plant-information.asp?gardener=18752&tabview=features&plantSpot=0|website=PlantThis|access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>
| Lyndale Nurseries
| Compact, low-growing selection. Often incorrectly sold as ''M. tomentosa'' 'Dalese', especially in Australia.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Fire Mountain'<ref name="MiC1" />
| mid-1970s
| Orange-scarlet
| Felix Jury / Duncan & Davies
| Very bright flowers and spreading habit. Sourced from [[Waitara, New Zealand|Waitara]] riverbank plantings.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Firestone'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1983
| Fire-red
| Graeme Platt
| Bright flowers and sprawling form. Sourced from [[Moehau Range|Mt Moehau]], [[Coromandel Peninsula]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Flame Crest'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1991
| Orange-scarlet
| Cyril Watson & George Smith / Duncan & Davies
| Tall, erect form. Sourced from Kawaroa Park, [[New Plymouth]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Gold Finger'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1986
| Deep crimson
| Duncan & Davies
| Reverse-variegated form with bright gold leaves.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Golden Dawn'<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrosideros excelsa 'Golden Dawn', PVR|url=http://www.terrain.net.nz/friends-of-te-henui-group/metrosideros-cultivars.html|website=Metrosideros hybrids & cultivars|publisher=T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="MiC3">{{cite journal|last1=Dawson|first1=Murray|date=2011|title=Origins of pōhutukawa cultivars in Australia|url=http://www.rnzih.org.nz/RNZIH_Journal/Pages_2-3_from_2011_Vol14_No2.pdf|journal=New Zealand Garden Journal|volume=14|issue=2|pages=2–3|access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref>
| 2003
| Melon Pink
| Robert Harrison
| Reverse-variegated cultivar from Australia. Grows to around {{convert|5|m}}. Grew from ''M. excelsa'' 'Pink Lady' under cultivation. 10–20% chance of variegation reverting.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Gold Nugget'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 2000
| -
| Jim Rumbal / Duncan & Davies
| Variegated cultivar with fresh green margins and yellow centres.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' ''Hauraki'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| Red
| Graeme Platt
| Outstanding sized flowers and tall, erect form. Sourced from [[Long Bay, New Zealand|Long Bay Regional Park]], [[Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Kopere'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 2007
| Orange-red
| Graeme Platt
| Vibrant flowers and glossy green leaves. Sourced from Brooks Bay, near Awhitu Regional Park, [[Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Lighthouse'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1983
| Crimson<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrosideros excelsa lighthouse - lighthouse pohutukawa|url=http://www.icontrees.co.nz/shop/Evergreen/METROSIDEROS+EXCELSA+LIGHTHOUSE+-+Lighthouse+Pohutukawa.html|website=Icon Trees|access-date=15 June 2015}}</ref>
| Graeme Platt
| Early flowering (November). Sourced from [[Rangitoto Island]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Manukau'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1990
| Orange-red
| Graeme Platt
| Well-balanced flower heads that also bloom inside the canopy of the tree. Sourced from [[Manukau City]] shopping centre.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Maori Princess'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1970s
| Red
| Ian McDowell / Duncan & Davies
| Open branched, upright tree. Sourced from Brougham Street, [[New Plymouth]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Midas'<ref name="MiC3" />
| 1988
| Red
| William (Bill) Robertson
| Reverse-variegated cultivar from Australia, but slightly unstable (can revert to non-variegated status)
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Mini Christmas'<ref name="MiC2" />
| -
| Red
|
| Low growing cultivar from Australia, grows to around 1m tall.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Moon Maiden'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1988
| Sulphur yellow
| Duncan & Davies
| Light grey-green foliage. Sourced from ''M. excelsa'' 'Aurea'.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Mt Maunganui'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1993
| Red
| Lyndale Nurseries
| Sourced from Pitau Road, [[Mount Maunganui]]. Source tree of significance to [[Ngāi Te Rangi]] iwi, where several Māori skeletons were found at its base.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Octopussy'<ref name="MiC2" />
| 2004
| Red
| Naturally Native NZ Plants Auckland
| Weeping growth habit. Sometimes available as a standard.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Ohope'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| Red
| Duncan & Davies<ref name="MiC2" />
| Variegated form. Green leaves with cream margins.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Parnell'<ref name="MiC1" />
| early 1970s
| Red
| Graeme Platt
| Very large and widely spreading tree. Sourced from [[Parnell Rose Gardens]], [[Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Pink Lady'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1988
| Melon Pink
| Duncan & Davies
| Small upright tree with compact flower heads.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Plus Four'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 2002
| Bright Red
| Graeme Platt
| Upright growth habit. Sourced from Awhitu Golf Course, [[Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Pouawa'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| -
| Graeme Platt / Rob Bayly
| Long-lasting flowers. Sourced from north of [[Gisborne, New Zealand|Gisborne]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Rangitoto'<ref name="MiC1" />
| mid-1980s
| Dark Red
| Tom Johnson / Dawn Nurseries
| Upright, smallish tree. Sourced from [[Te Atatū Peninsula|Te Atatū]], [[Auckland]] from a plant originally sourced on [[Rangitoto Island]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Royal Flame'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1988
| Deep-crimson
| Jim Rumbal / Duncan & Davies
| Upright tree, flowers have contrasting yellow anthers. Sourced from [[Waitara, New Zealand|Waitara West Marine Park]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Scarlet Pimpernel'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1976
| Scarlet
| Felix Jury / Duncan & Davies
| Small, compact growth. Suitable for containers & patios. Sourced from  Princess Street, [[Waitara, New Zealand|Waitara]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Sunglow'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1980
| -
| Duncan & Davies
| Variegated with gold leaf margins. flowers and form. Thought to be sourced from Oswald Blumhardt, plant breeder in Whangarei.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Tamaki'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1985
| Orange-red
| Graeme Platt
| Bright flowers. Sourced from [[Tamaki Drive]], [[Auckland]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Te Kaha'<ref name="MiC1" />
| mid-1980s
| Red with orange hints.
| Graeme Platt
| Medium-sized bushy tree. Sourced from [[Te Kaha|Te Kaha Hotel]], [[Bay of Plenty]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Titirangi'<ref name="MiC1" />
| late-1980s
| Scarlet
| Graeme Platt
| Erect tree with copious flowers. Sourced from Margan Ave, [[Auckland]] near the Titirangi Golf Course.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Upper Hutt'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| -
| -
| Reverse-variegated foliage. Sourced from public gardens in [[Upper Hutt]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Variegata'<ref name="MiC1" />
| -
| Red
| -
| Variegated leaves. Not to be confused with ''M. kermadecensis.'' 'Variegata'.
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Vibrance'<ref name="MiC1" />
| 1985
| Orange-red
| Graeme Platt
| Flowers have exceptionally long stamens. Sourced from Waiomu Bay, [[Coromandel Peninsula]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'Whakarewarewa'<ref name="MiC1" />
| late-1980s
| Very dark red
| Graeme Platt
| Sourced from [[Whakarewarewa]], [[Rotorua]].
|-
| ''M. excelsa'' 'White Caps'<ref name="MiC2" />
| 2009
| White
| Graeme Platt
| Sourced from [[Piha|Piha Beach]], [[Auckland]].
|}