Astelia nervosa 'Westland'
Westland's veined astelia
- Height × spread
- 0.6m × 1.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This attractive foliage plant bears a close resemblance to phormiums, and also comes from New Zealand. It has a subtle intriguing sheen on its strappy leaves. These are coloured silver green with red and bronze stripes along their length. It has undistinguished flowers, but female plants produce orange or red berries. It makes a clump of arching leaves, beautiful with blue grasses or in the company of low spreading plants. Give it space to express itself. This is rather tender and needs a warm and well drained spot., It will not be hardy in the colder parts of the country.
- Foliage colour
- Grey, Purple, Silver
- Fruit colour
- Orange
- Variegated
- Yes
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.6m
- Spread
- 1.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Winter
Winter · Outdoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.