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Asparagus setaceus 'Pyramidalis'

fern asparagus 'Pyramidalis'

A tender evergreen perennial with a bushy pyramidal upright habit found in woodland edge settings where it can become invasive, also used as a house plant, in container displays and floristry for its decorative foliage. The thorny stems have bristle needle-like leaves that form triangular upright plumes, 16 to 24 inches long, with a dense fern-like feathery quality. It has air-purifying attributes. Although best known for its feathery attractive foliage, it has also small, insignificant, off-white flowers in Spring.

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1C
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy, Climbing, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Skin allergen, fruits harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Asparagus can be evergreen or deciduous perennials or subshrubs, sometimes climbing, with tuberous rootstock. Stems bear both inconspicuous scale-like leaves and larger, leaf-like phylloclades, with small white or pinkish flowers followed by red berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

As a house plant, it prefers a fertile moisture retentive medium and to be placed away from direct sunlight. Keep away from the sun to achieve a darker shade of green in the foliage. Cut back to soil level if there is a need to regenerate the plant and regularly pinch back to make the plant bushier. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Propagation

Propagate by division and by seed.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • hanging basket
  • Houseplants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Pinch back the tips of stems to keep the shape and to promote density in the foliage. It can be cut back to the ground to regenerate.

Pests

May be susceptible to asparagus beetle, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rot

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