Astelia chathamica

RHS Plant Profile

silver spear

Synonyms

Astelia chathamica 'Silver Sword'
Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear'
Astelia 'Silverspear'
Astelia 'Chatamica Silver'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An evergreen perennial to 1.2m tall, forming a large clump of silvery, sword-shaped leaves, with panicles of small greenish flowers followed, on female plants, by orange berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Astelia are clump-forming, rhizomatous evergreen perennials with arching, linear, keeled, silvery leaves and panicles of small, pale greenish or brown flowers, followed on female plants by orange or red berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, but reasonably well-drained, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade and sheltered spot. The foliage can be damaged by frost and prevailing cold winds. It may need winter protection

Propagation

If necessary, divide in spring. Propagate by seed, sow seeds in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens

Pruning

Remove or trim winter damaged foliage in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free