Silver Spear 'Silver Shadow'
Adding striking color and form to the garden, Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ (Silver Spear) is a very ornamental evergreen perennial with long, silver, sword-like leaves, elegantly arched and terminating in a sharp definite point. Usually buried down in the architectural foliage, pale yellowish green flowers are produced on female plants in spring. Not particularly showy, they give way to orange berries in the summer.
Easy to cultivate, Astelia is primarily grown for its decorative foliage and the stunning focal point it creates in the garden. It is an ideal specimen plant for brightening up shady areas and represents an unusual alternative to Phormiums (New Zealand Flax).
Reminiscent of stemless Cordyline or Phormium, Astelia are clump-forming perennials most native to New Zealand. There are around 25 species of Astelia, the most widely available being Astelia chathamica or ‘Silver Spear’, which forms large clumps of long, arching, silver sword-like leaves; and Astelia nervosa, which forms tighter clumps and has narrower leaves with a metallic sheen.
Hardiness |
8 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
8 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Asteliaceae |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
8 - 9 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
8 - 9 |
Climate Zones | 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Asteliaceae |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage |
How many Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ (Silver Spear) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Astelia ‘Silver Shadow’ (Silver Spear) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!