{"product_id":"metrosideros-spring-fire","title":"Metrosideros 'Spring Fire'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNew Zealand Christmas Bush\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMetrosideros \u003c\/em\u003e'Spring Fire'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003eMyrtaceae \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eNew Zealand \u0026amp; Pacific Islands\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub (can be trained as a small tree)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA compact, coastal-ready metrosideros that shines in Adelaide and South Australian gardens. ‘Spring Fire’ produces masses of orange-red “pincushion” bottlebrush flowers from spring into summer, with spot colour outside peak season. Its lime-green new growth matures to deep glossy green, creating a lush, low-maintenance screen or feature that thrives in warmth and sea air.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2–5 m H × 2–3.5 m W (compact, broad shrub; slower growing than many metrosideros)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30-60 cm per year under good conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lime-green new growth → dark\/blue-green mature leaves; in coastal sun and dry spells can show olive\/bronze tints on older foliage—adds depth even out of flower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange-red, brushy\/pincushion clusters mainly spring–summer; attracts nectar-feeders\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring–summer bloom, lush evergreen structure year-round; attractive seed heads and textured bark through winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good for pollinators; attracts bees and nectar-feeding birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coastal-Tolerant (salt \u0026amp; wind hardy), Heat-Tolerant, Drought-Tolerant once established, Light-moderate Frost; suits a range of soils if well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shrub borders\/hedges: 1 plant per 1 m (dense) or 1 per 1.5 m (looser)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally regarded as non-toxic to pets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade (best flowering in full sun)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well-drained loam or sandy loam; improves heavier clay with organic matter\/grit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: 2 deep soaks\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (weekly in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light trim after flowering to keep compact; tip-prune young plants; mulch in spring; use a low-phosphorus\/native-safe feed in early spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15-25+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate \u0026amp; Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal Adelaide (excellent in second-line coastal sites)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slightly acidic to neutral preferred (tolerates mildly alkaline if drainage is sharp)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoastal screen or hedge for Adelaide seaside blocks—salt\/wind-tough with brilliant spring–summer colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeature specimen in warm courtyards or front gardens—train as a multi-stemmed small tree for year-round structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDrought-smart mass planting on hot verges or banks—low clipping needs and reliable seasonal bloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Spring Fire’ gives South Australian gardens the NZ Christmas bush vibe—fiery orange-red flowers in spring and summer, glossy foliage all year, and coastal resilience that suits Adelaide’s climate. It’s tidy, tough and showy, delivering colour and habitat value with very little maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"170mm Pot","offer_id":68099849486588,"sku":"METR-SPRI-FIRE-170MMPOT","price":0.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5L Pot","offer_id":47355954331900,"sku":"METR-SPRI-FIRE-5L","price":27.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/metrosideros-spring-fire-new-zealand-christmas-bush-5L-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793782615","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/metrosideros-spring-fire","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}