Metrosideros 'Little Dugald' is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, dark green foliage and spectacular red pompom flowers. This hardy, low-maintenance plant is perfect for hedging, borders, or container planting. It is highly tolerant of coastal conditions and adds year-round structure and vibrant colour to gardens.
Quick Overview:
Common Name: Little Dugald (Dwarf New Zealand Christmas Bush)
Botanical Name:Metrosideros 'Little Dugald'
Origin: Cultivar derived from New Zealand species
Height and Width: 1–1.5m high × 1–1.2m wide
Foliage: Dense, dark green, oval leaves with a compact growth habit
Flowers: Brilliant red pompom-style flowers in spring and early summer
Position: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Well-drained, sandy to loamy soils
Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; highly tolerant of coastal conditions
Maintenance: Low-maintenance; occasional light pruning to shape
Etymology: The genus name Metrosideros is derived from Greek: ‘metra’ meaning heartwood and ‘sideros’ meaning iron, referring to the hardness of the wood
Detailed Description:
Metrosideros 'Little Dugald' is a dwarf variety of the New Zealand Christmas Bush, prized for its dense, compact form and showy red pompom flowers. These bright red blooms appear in spring and early summer, creating a stunning display that attracts nectar-feeding birds and beneficial insects.
The foliage is dense and dark green, providing year-round structure and a lush appearance. 'Little Dugald' is well-suited to coastal gardens, tolerating salt spray and sandy soils with ease. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for low hedges, borders, and container growing, where it can add vibrant colour and evergreen structure.
Highly resilient, this plant is drought-tolerant once established and thrives in full sun to part shade. Its naturally rounded growth habit means it requires minimal pruning to maintain its shape, making it an easy-care option for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
Growth and Maintenance:
Watering: Water regularly during the establishment phase; drought-tolerant once mature
Fertilising: Use a slow-release all-purpose fertiliser in spring to promote growth and flowering
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Pruning:
Shaping: Light pruning after flowering will help maintain a neat, rounded shape
Hedging: Can be pruned into a low hedge or used as a small formal screen
Tree Form: If desired, can be trained as a small, clear-trunked specimen
Common Uses:
Low formal or informal hedging
Container growing for patios and entrances
Feature plant in small gardens
Coastal and native-themed landscapes
Planting Benefits:
Compact Size: Perfect for small spaces and low-maintenance gardens
Extended Flowering: Red blooms appear in spring and early summer, attracting wildlife
Resilient: Tolerates salt spray, light frost, and dry conditions once established
Evergreen Structure: Provides year-round shape and greenery
