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    • Photo of Astelia chathamica foliage, form by plant lust

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    Astelia chathamica

    Also Known As

    • Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear'
    • Astelia nervosa v. chathamica
    • Mountain Astelia
    • Silver Spear

    Plant type

    perennial, grass / grass like

    size

    • H: 3'-5'
    • W: 3"-3'

    planting zones

    • 8b-11

    More Options

    Astelia chathamica plant details

    Astelia chathamica is an evergreen perennial grass (or grassy in appearance) with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer cream flowers emerge. Features glaucous and grassy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - low water. Does well in average, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Astelia chathamica

    Plant type: perennial grass (or grassy in appearance)
    Plant family: asteliaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 3 IN - 3 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: border plant, container plant, tropical-looking, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Astelia chathamica

    USDA Zones: 8b - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    From the perpetually cool Chatham Islands this plant could be expected to be as heat tolerant as an ice block but given constantly moist soil and and a sheltered but not too shady site it can make an impressive clump of keeled, silver, sword-like leaves. Alternatively you can admire it's rigid metallic form in a pot, preferably wildly glazed for a space age look. Inconsequential flowers borne amongst the foliage are reputably followed by bright red fruit, though I've yet to see them. Slow growing so best left undisturbed until your thirst for more demands division.

    By: Zephs

    The largest of a beautiful group of agave/hypoxiodes (phormioides?) ... whatever ... with dazzlingly silver rosettes, this one making an offsetting clump from 3-5' high and wide with 3-4" wide leaves. The stunning silver effect is best, for us, in light shade. We keep our specimens in single rosettes as they are most striking, giving away the offsets (or selling them at extraordinarily high prices...But for you...) Love well-drained soil, though certainly don't mind being continually moist. Not fond of prolonged drought. Avoid excessive summer heat. One of the best and most striking container specimens. This species, frost hardy to the upper teens °F, upper USDA zone 8, recovering from 10 to 12 °F. If those temperatures are expected, at least go out and throw a tarp over it. It's ok, all of us have been seen in our bathrobes doing the same thing.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Fountain-like clump of silvery swords to 3'. This plant from the remote Chatham Islands somewhat resembles Phormium (New Zealand Flax) but with striking silver coloration! A moderate grower, it may reach 3' tall and a little wider over time in sun or part shade. Excellent combined either with fine textured green leafy things, or with succulents and bromeliads in a dry bed, or with anything of contrasting color. In the Pacific Northwest, it's certainly much better off in a sheltered spot - if it's really happy, well established, and on very well draining, gritty soil, it can endure 10 °F; however, I recommend protecting it below 2 °F if not all of those factors are met.

    By: The Desert Northwest

    Gardening facts about Astelia chathamica plant

    How to Grow Astelia chathamica

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - low

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • seaside / salt tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • cream

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous
      • grassy

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