Delicate white, star-shaped and nectar-filled white flowers attract honeybees and bumblebees (and native skinks/geckos). These vines are a habitat for native stick insects. Like Tecomanthe speciosa, it is also only found in NZ and can reach 20 m, but this is a dainty, slowish-growing and naturally widespread climber.

It can also grow on rocks, including open exposed cliffs, and is suited to growing in pots as a shrub or low hedge (it used to be called Metrosideros buxifolia – like a buxus, the common European hedge) or climbing up brick or concrete or slatted wooden walls. A bonus is its resistance to myrtle rust compared to some pohutukawa or red rata.

Metrosideros - O2 Landscapes