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Products > Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear'
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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Asteliaceae (Asparagales) |
| Origin: New Zealand (Australasia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 3-4 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear' (Silver Spear) - An evergreen perennial that comes from the Chatham Islands, located over 400 nautical miles east of the North and South Island of New Zealand. It has bold recurving leaves which are a pale green above and silvery-white below and form in a large upright rosette - a large clump - growing to about 4 feet tall and as wide. Plant in sun or part shade in rich well-drained soil with moderate water. Has a low water requirement once established. Rarely flowers and the male and female flowers are on separate plants. Neither are showy and are usually down in the foliage however the orange-red fruit of female plants are noted as attractive - our large plants' inflorescences were too deep in the foliage for the fruit to be noticed. Hardy to about 20-25 degrees F. It is best to trim off old foliage, which withers and dries, to keep plant looking tidy. Feed with a long term, slow releases fertilizer in spring. There are 25 species of Astelia, 13 endemic to New Zealand. Astelia chathamica is likened to a silver flax and in fact has the common name Maori Flax on the Chatham Island. It is endangered in its native habitat. The genus name comes from combining the Greek words 'a' meaning "without" and 'stele' meaning a "trunk" or "pillar" in reference to these plants not forming a stem or trunk. They have long been considered part of the Liliaceae family but most recent treatment puts them in the Asteliaceae family in the Asparagales order with the relatively unknown genera Collospermum, Milligania and Neoastelia.
The information on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources as well as from observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery's garden and in other gardens that we have observed it in. We also will incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information, particularly if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that might aid others in growing Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear'.
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