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Aspidistra elatior 'Lennon's Song' (v)

A clump-forming, upright, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial with long, broadly lance-shaped semi-glossy dark green leaves. Each leaf has a central golden-yellow stripe Rarely, maroon-red, star-shaped flowers appear at the base of the plant in spring to summer. Although most often grown as a houseplant, it is also a useful garden plant in mild areas, and is tolerant of shade and drier conditions

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green Gold Yellow
Summer Red Green Gold Yellow
Autumn Green Gold Yellow
Winter Green Gold Yellow
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Aspidistra are rhizomatous, evergreen perennials with upright, leathery, elliptic or lance-shaped leaves and inconspicuous brownish flowers borne on the rhizome

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

As a houseplant, grow in large pots of peat-free, loam-based compost. Although tolerant of deep shade, growth is best in bright, filtered light with a minimum temperature of 7°C. Water moderately in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed 2-3 times during the growing season; variegated cultivars revert to green if overfed. Outdoors grow in moist but well-drained, fertile, sandy loam with added leaf mould, in a sheltered site with full or partial shade. See houseplant cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Ground cover
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects and vine weevil larvae

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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