`Ohi`a   Metrosideros polymorpha                                                        click here for info on 'ohi'a care

Family: Myrtaceae

Description:  `Ohi`a is a variable species, hence the species name, polymorpha meaning many forms. 'Ohi'a can be a tree or shrub or anything in between; a lot depends on where the seed came from. The blossoms may be red, orange, or yellow and the foliage may range from a waxy green to a fuzzy gray with reddish new growth called 'liko'.  `Ohi`a does best in mesic or wet environments and requires moderate water.  'Ohi'a grows fine at lower elevations with regular watering. Full sun is good for more flowering. The variability of this species offers potential for a hedge, specimen planting or a mixed windbreak so be careful when purchasing an `Ohi`a to ensure the form you are looking for. 'Ohi'a have many surface roots so newly planted trees benefit from fertile soil in a large area around the main trunk. Insect pests include rose beetle and may defoliate young plants, but they will soon grow out of it. Don't let ants host scale or aphids. `Ohi`a is one of the main canopy trees of the wet Hawaiian forest. There are other species of Metrosideros native throughout New Zealand and Australia. Below are many pictures that start to show the varieties that we grow.

('Ohi'a can be trees or shrubs, this tree is very old and 50 ft. tall)

('ohi'a in a bog)

('ohi'a lehua flowers can be red, orange, or yellow)

(orange and yellow together)

(big red bloom) 'Maukanani'

(yellow with fuzzy leaves) 'Waikamoi Yellow'

(yellow flower and nice liko too) 'Kanaio Yellow'

(this is a shrubby type, 3 years old) Kanaio seedling

(this 'ohi'a we grow for the color in the foliage, red flowers) 'Purple Clonal'

(this 'ohi'a has nice leaf for lei making and smaller red flowers) 'Oahu small leaf'

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