This large tree has a grey-black trunk with short lateral branches that form a columnar habit. It has stiff leathery glossy green oblong leaves and the red tube-shaped flowers appear in compact clusters from late spring to early summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Knightia excelsais naturally found in the North and South Island of New Zealand and extending to D'Urville Island growing from sea level to an altitude of 850m (2,550ft) in lowland to mountainous forests.

It prefers a most well drained moderately fertile moist soils but will tolerate drier conditions and prefers a sunny to semi shaded position and is drought tender but frost tolerant.

Rewa rewa is grown for its flowers and its narrow habit. It is used as a specimen tree in parks and gardens or planted beside buildings and along driveways. It is suitable for coastal and low mountain regions establishing in 3 to 5 years but may be slower in drier conditions. ID 2852

Note:
This plant is not commonly cultivated outside its native environment and may be difficult to obtained, requiring a specialist nursery.
Under cultivation the tree normally grows to 8m (25ft) and in its natural environment it is much larger with a trunk up to 1m (3ft) diameter.

Knightia(nigh-tee-ah) excelsa(ek-SEL-sa)

Proteaceae (pro-tee-AY-see-ee)
Protea Family