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aka Pohutukawa or NZ Christmas Tree

Native. Who doesn't love the Pohutukawa AKA The NZ Christmas Tree. Attractive leathery blue-grey foliage and unique yet beautiful crimson tufted blooms that appear in summer. Tolerant of harsh conditions and poor soil but doesn't like frost. Evergreen.

This iconic NZ tree is seen at its best along the Thames-Coromandel Coast. It is worth taking a road trip in December-January just to see these coastal beauties in full flower. Pretty good specimens on the road into Whakatane as well.