Astelia
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 2m × 0.6m – 2.5m
- 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 25 species of astelia of which 13 are found in New Zealand. The others generally come from Australia. Six or so species are grown as garden ornamentals in the UK. They make fan-shaped foliage clumps with an appearance somewhat like those of phormium. There are some substantial ones such as Astelia fragrans which can reach 2 metres in height. Most varieties are far smaller, standing an accommodating metre or so in high. They are grown for their striking foliage which is intriguingly silvered in the case of Astelia chathamica. There are also cultivars with silvered red foliage and this includes the 40cm high Astelia nivicola 'Red Gem'. The astelia are foliage plants, the flowers being insignificant. Some Astelias usefully grow naturally in moist or boggy places, however none of them are reliably hardy in most parts of the UK and need warmth and shelter.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey, Purple, Red, Silver
- Fruit colour
- Black, Orange, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.5m – 2m
- Spread
- 0.6m – 2.5m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- 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 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.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Feed & mulch some rose varieties differently
To keep roses healthy and produce more flowers, feed during the growing season before and after flowering. Roses in containers should be fed more often than those planted in the ground, every two weeks from mid spring to late summer. Adding a mulch around the base of a rose will trap moisture and enrich the soil as it biodegrades.
Found in
More Astelia
Astelia 'Red Devil'
Astelia 'Silver Shadow'
Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear'
Chatham Island astelia
Astelia 'Red Shadow'
Astelia banksii
Wharawhara, Bank's astelia
Astelia nervosa
Veined astelia
Astelia nervosa 'Westland'
Westland's veined astelia