Description
Metrosideros excelsa × umbellata ‘Maungapiko’ is a narrow, upright tree distinguished by its glossy, pointed, fresh-green foliage and striking floral display. From early to mid-summer, it becomes covered in a profusion of vivid scarlet flowers that draw in nectar-seeking birds, adding vibrant colour and ecological value to any landscape.
This hardy, evergreen hybrid is a natural cross between Metrosideros excelsa and Metrosideros umbellata, combining the coastal resilience of pōhutukawa with the enhanced frost tolerance of southern rātā. As a result, ‘Maungapiko’ offers a tougher, more cold-tolerant alternative to traditional pōhutukawa, making it ideal for both coastal environments and inland settings.
It also makes an excellent street tree due to its upright form and adaptability. ‘Maungapiko’ was discovered by Graeme Platt in the early 1980s, growing in mānuka scrub at the junction of Maungapiko Track and the old Port Fitzroy–Whangaparapara Road (now Forest Road) on Great Barrier Island, New Zealand.
EverGreen
Height 8m
Width 4m
Estimate after 10 years
