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Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
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evergreen christmas tree

Looking for the perfect evergreen Christmas tree to brighten your holiday season? Evergreen Christmas trees are a classic choice, prized for their lush foliage, year-round colour, and festive charm. In New Zealand’s unique climate, choosing the right evergreen means you’ll not only enjoy a vibrant holiday centrepiece, but also a hardy, low-maintenance addition to your garden for years to come.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers that bloom in early summer. Growing up to 20 metres tall, it features gnarled branches and leathery, silver-green leaves. Pōhutukawa is salt-tolerant, wind-hardy, and ideal for coastal planting, erosion control, and iconic feature trees. Its vibrant blooms and resilience make it a treasured symbol of summer and a standout in NZ landscapes.

Buy Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 10.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Native

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and glossy green leaves. This upright, evergreen tree grows 6–10 metres tall, making it ideal for feature planting, coastal gardens, and urban landscapes. Flowering from early summer, it attracts birds and pollinators while providing year-round structure. Hardy and low-maintenance, 'Maori Princess' thrives in full sun, tolerates wind and salt spray, and suits a wide range of NZ conditions.

Buy Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

From $28.28

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 6.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Screening

Garden styles: Backyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Native

The Best Evergreens for a Kiwi Christmas

Classic evergreen Christmas tree favourites overseas include fir, spruce, and pine. In New Zealand, gardeners often seek native and well-adapted evergreen trees for their gardens and festive displays. If you love the look of a traditional Christmas tree but want something unique and resilient, consider options like Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa). The iconic pōhutukawa bursts into crimson bloom each summer, earning its nickname as the New Zealand Christmas Tree. Its evergreen leaves keep your garden looking lush long after the decorations come down.

If you're after a compact feature with year-round colour, Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' offers stunning foliage and the same vibrant festive flowers—perfect for small gardens, patios, or even large containers.

Decorative Shrubs for Holiday Cheer

Evergreen doesn't have to stop at trees. Many gardeners are turning to hardy, decorative shrubs that can double as living Christmas trees indoors or outdoors. Syzygium Bush Christmas is a favourite for its glossy green leaves and bright red new growth—ideal for adding a modern twist to holiday decorations.

For a true touch of Christmas magic, pair your evergreen Christmas tree with festive-flowering shrubs like Pieris Christmas Cheer (Pieris japonica Christmas Cheer) or the brilliant Rhododendron Christmas Cheer. These evergreens offer lovely blooms right when you need them most, ensuring your garden is full of colour for the holiday season.

Caring for Your Evergreen Christmas Tree

Choosing an evergreen Christmas tree bred or grown for New Zealand means less worry about climate and maintenance. Most evergreens appreciate well-drained soils, regular watering during dry spells, and a sunny to partially shaded spot in the garden. Container-grown trees can be brought inside for the holiday and then returned outdoors to thrive year-round.

Whether your evergreen Christmas tree is a stately pōhutukawa, a compact native hybrid, or an eye-catching shrub, you’ll love how your choice brings holiday cheer and structure to your landscape all year.