Aciphylla
Speargrass
- Height × spread
- 1m – 1m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 40 species of these intriguing, spiky perennial plants. They come from New Zealand and Australia. A number of these are highly ornamental with their stiff leaves in shades of green, yellow, blue and grey. They all have spiny tipped leaves and in some forms they have such a ferocious character, they are not suited to gardens where small children may play. Many forms are more gentle but it is worthwhile checking the foliage before purchase. They have plumes or columns of flowers, often frothy in appearance and coloured white or yellow. They should be positioned in sunny positions in well-drained soil that never dries out and with a good depth of soil as they anchor themselves with very lengthy taproots.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 1m – 1m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Scented garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Architectural
- Hazards
- Yes, some 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 to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
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.