
Common Name: Silver spear
Genus: Astelia
Species: chathamica
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light
Height: 200cm
Spread: 300cm
Time to divide plants: April to May
Flowering period: April to May
Silver Spear is a hardy, clump-forming perennial with elegant, silvery spear-shaped leaves. In very cold winters, in exposed areas, plants may suffer frost damage and will benefit from protection. During mid to late spring, long stalks of yellowish-green flowers emerge from female plants, which produce orange berries in summer. This plant can make a dramatic feature in the garden especially when planted close to purple-foliage plants such as Aeonium 'Zwartkop', or Phormium 'All Black'. It makes an unusual alternative to New Zealand flax. Propagate by division in spring.
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Aeonium 'Zwartkop'BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
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