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fire rose plant

Searching for the fire rose plant? At our New Zealand nursery, we get frequent questions about this stunning and somewhat mysterious plant. If you’re looking to brighten your garden with vibrant flowers or to add an eye-catching feature, the fire rose plant is a term that often refers to intensely coloured blooms that evoke the look of a burning flame. While there isn’t a single official fire rose plant species, several striking shrubs and Roses share similar names, colours, and fiery appeal. If you want to grow a “fire rose plant” with rich reds, deep oranges, and bold pinks, we stock several top alternatives for NZ gardens. On this page, we’ll explore the best fire rose plant options, their uses, and tips for creating a vibrant landscape.

An elegant Cistus lusitanicus white flower with red spots.

Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Cistus lusitanicus, commonly known as the Gum Cistus, is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its large, white blooms marked with deep crimson spots at the base of each petal. Flowering from late spring into summer, it produces a vibrant display above aromatic, grey-green foliage. This hardy, drought-tolerant shrub thrives in poor soils and hot, sunny positions, making it ideal for low-maintenance, Mediterranean-style, or coastal gardens. Its showy flowers and tough nature make it a favourite with landscapers and gardeners alike.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Metrosideros 'Spring Fire' trees  for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Metrosideros 'Spring Fire'

Metrosideros ‘Spring Fire’ is a compact and highly floriferous New Zealand native pohutukawa cultivar valued for its brilliant red spring flowers and glossy evergreen foliage. Flowering earlier than many other varieties, it brings vibrant colour to NZ gardens at a time when few trees are in bloom. This selection remains smaller and tidier than standard pohutukawa. Metrosideros ‘Spring Fire’ is hardy, wind tolerant, and ideal for low maintenance landscapes.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 5.00 m
Spread: 3.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
A Loropetalum 'Fire Dance' plant with gorgeous purple foliage and pink flowers growing in a pot.

Loropetalum 'Fire Dance'

Loropetalum 'Fire Dance' features spectacularly coloured flowers and foliage. During winter, it produces fragrant, spider-like, pink flowers, which...

From$28.28
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.

Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.23
cistus-pink-ice-

Cistus Pink Ice (Pink Rock Rose)

Cistus Pink Ice, commonly known as Pink Rock Rose, is grown for its pretty flowers which have a paper like appearance. It bears masses of pink...

From$24.23
Cistus 'Brilliancy' plant with pink flowers and green foliage.

Cistus 'Brilliancy' (Rock Rose)

Cistus ‘Brilliancy’ is a vibrant evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking crimson-pink flowers, each with a yellow centre, blooming profusely in...

From$24.23
serissa-snowflake--2

Serissa Snowflake (Snow Rose Plant)

Serissa Snowflake, commonly known as the Snow Rose plant, is an evergreen shrub grown for its lovely flowering and foliage. Showy, white flowers...

From$24.23
portulaca-pizzaz-sunset-

Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant)

Portulaca Pazazz Sunset, commonly known as the Moss Rose plant, is a low-growing perennial with fabulous flowers. Bright orange and yellow flowers...

From$25.58
hemerocallis-rose-cherub--2

Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily)

Hemerocallis Rose Cherub is a variety of the commonly known, Day Lily, and features very showy flowers. The large and showy, rose-pink flowers are...

From$22.88
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$33.68
rose-raspberry-ice-5

Rose Raspberry Ice

“Raspberry Ice” is a Floribunda shrub rose that features large and showy flowers that are cream with a raspberry coloured margin. The lightly...

From$56.63
super-shield-rose-spray-1

Super Shield Rose Spray – 1 Litre

This multipurpose spray is designed to control most common pests and diseases that affect roses. That includes blackspot, aphids, rust, powdery...

From$131.90
rose-ginger-kisses--2

Rose Ginger Kisses

Rose Ginger Kisses is a popular shrub rose that features gorgeous, burnt orange flowers. The fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until...

From$56.63
rose-diamonds-forever-

Rose Diamonds Forever

Rose Diamonds Forever is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, soft-yellow flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue...

From$63.38
climbing-rose-albertine-

Rose Albertine

Rose Albertine is a climbing rose featuring very showy, salmon-pink flowers. The highly fragrant blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$56.63
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$29.63
gaura-steffi-dark-rose-

Gaura Steffi Dark Rose

Gaura ‘Steffi Dark Rose’ is a striking perennial featuring deep rose-coloured flowers on slender stems. Blooming from spring through autumn, it adds...

From$24.23
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.08
Pyracantha 'Brilliant' red berries with lush green foliage.

Pyracantha 'Brilliant' (Fire Thorn)

Pyracantha 'Brilliant' is an attractive shrub grown for its decorative berries. Clusters of dainty, white flowers are borne in spring and result in...

From$33.68
azalea-fire-tower-1

Azalea 'Fire Tower'

Azalea 'Fire Tower' is a vibrant evergreen azalea known for its brilliant red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vivid blooms...

From$26.93
weigela-wine-and-roses-2

Weigela Wine And Roses (Wine & Roses Weigela)

Weigela Wine and Roses is grown for its foliage and flowers. This deciduous, compact shrub produces small and burgundy-coloured leaves which are held...

From$24.98
Helleborus orientalis with colourful pink flowers.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose)

Helleborus orientalis, commonly known as Lenten Rose, is a hardy perennial prized for its elegant winter and early spring blooms. Flowers appear in...

From$20.18
canna-cannova-rose-

Canna Cannova Rose

Canna Cannova Rose carries large and glossy, dark green leaves which are held upright and have a gentle arch. Stems rise above the foliage from late...

From$22.88
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$33.68
An informal hedge of 'Iceberg' rose plants with masses of white flowers.

iceberg-roses iceberg-roses

Rosa ‘Iceberg’, one of the world’s most popular roses, is a reliable floribunda variety producing masses of pure white, lightly fragrant blooms from...

From$29.63
rose-ann-turner-climbing-

Rose Ann Turner

Rose Ann Turner is a climbing rose that features masses of double, pink flowers. The blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn provided the...

From$33.68
Rose 'Desiree' pink flowers.

Rose 'Desiree'

Rose 'Desiree' is a beautifully refined rose known for soft pastel blooms, gentle fragrance and repeat flowering through the warmer months in New...

From$63.38
climbing-rose-cecil-brunner-1

Rose Cecil Brunner

Rose Cecile Brunner is a climbing variety that produces masses of mid-sized, double, light pink flowers. The flowers are borne in large, loose...

From$29.63
Purple flowers on Burgundy Iceberg Rose.

Rose 'Burgundy Iceberg'

Rosa ‘Burgundy Iceberg’ is a stunning floribunda rose producing masses of deep burgundy-red, lightly fragrant blooms from spring through autumn. Its...

From$56.63
rose-fertiliser-

Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$12.50
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1

Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$33.68
camellia-japonica-red-red-rose-3

Camellia Red Red Rose

Camellia Red Red Rose produces beautiful, double, bright red flowers. These spectacular blooms appear from winter through spring and blend nicely...

From$37.73
Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Azalea, Camellia, Canna, Cistus, Gaura, Helleborus, Hemerocallis, iceberg-roses, Loropetalum, Metrosideros, Portulaca, Pyracantha, Rose Serissa and Weigela, or related Categories - Rose Fertiliser, Fungicides, Perennials, Bush Roses, Carpet Roses, Climbing Roses, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas Evergreen Shrubs and Evergreen Trees.

Search fire rose plant

Fire Rose Plant Alternatives for New Zealand Gardens

When gardeners search for fire rose plant, they’re often seeking a shrub or flower with vivid red, orange, or pink blossoms. Notable choices that deliver fiery hues include Metrosideros 'Spring Fire', a native NZ plant known for its stunning scarlet blooms and bold foliage. This tree is hardy, low-maintenance, and perfect for adding a blaze of colour to your garden borders or as a statement tree.

Another popular candidate is Loropetalum 'Fire Dance', renowned for its dramatic reddish-purple leaves and vivid, ribbon-like flowers. Loropetalum offers a long flowering season and is ideal for hedges or mixed shrub plantings if you crave a burst of colour throughout the year.

If you favour Mediterranean-style gardens, the Cistus or rock rose shrubs are exceptional choices. Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose) produces elegant, lightly fragrant flowers in soft white with vibrant yellow centres—its resilience makes it excellent for dry, sunny NZ sites. Other alternatives in this family, like Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant), showcase pure white blooms and tolerate coastal conditions, bringing light and contrast to your garden palette.

Planting and Care Tips for Your Fiery Garden

Fire rose plant varieties largely appreciate full sun and well-drained soils. When planting, ensure your site receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to maximise floral intensity. Most fire rose plant alternatives, including Metrosideros 'Spring Fire' and Loropetalum 'Fire Dance', are drought-tolerant once established, making them easy-care options for busy gardeners. Regular pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourages fresh growth.

To extend your colour scheme indoors, consider foliage-focused beauties like Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant), celebrated for its striking variegated leaves that add a splash of pink, cream, and green to your living spaces.

Creative Uses and Design Ideas

Fire rose plant shrubs and trees are incredibly versatile. These fiery varieties make captivating focal points, vibrant informal hedges, or can be combined with softer white-flowering types like Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant). Mix and match them for year-round colour and texture. With our expert plant selections, your garden will glow—whether it’s a classic Kiwi landscape or a Mediterranean-inspired retreat.

Explore our range to find the perfect fire rose plant alternative for your unique New Zealand garden style. Curate a bold, bright outdoor space that stands out in any season.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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