Astelia chathamica
(Silver Spear)
Family - Asteliaceae
Category - Perennial, shrub
Origin - Chatham Islands, New Zealand
Year of Introduction - 1988
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Hardiness - H3
Height - up to 1.2m
Width - up to 2m
Location - The Woodland Walk
Description: An Evergreen, clump-forming Perennial. Dioecious. The long, sword-like leaves are silvery green and can reach more than one metre in length. Small yellow flowers are produced in dense panicles from mid to late spring and are followed by attractive orange berries on female plants.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Dioecious (male and female flowers are held on separate plants). Small yellow flowers are held in dense panicles and are produced from April to May. The flowers are followed by orange berries on female plants.
Flower colour: Yellow
Flower shape: Panicles
Flowering time: April, May
Foliage:
Long, arching, silvery-green leaves are strap-shaped and pointed at the tips. The foliage is held at the base of the plant and each leaf can reach more than 1m in length.
Foliage Senescence: Evergreen
Foliage Shape: Strap-shaped
Propagation:
Seed, division.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained. Best in a sheltered position.