Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Shadow’

Description

Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Shadow’ is a superb Phormium-like plant from New Zealand originating from the Chatham Islands just off the coast of mainland New Zealand.  ‘Silver Shadow’ is a particularly robust form with deep spear-shaped silver, felty leaves which when fully mature can reach up to a metre long.  In the wild, Astelias are often epiphhytes growing in nooks and crannies amongst the branches of trees.

So, with that in mind, Astelias do best planted in humous rich free draining soil.  Unusually for a silver-leaved plant, Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Shadow’ is happy planted in dappled shade, tolerating sun if kept moist.  

I grow mine under evergreen trees where they happily flourish and look spectacular amongst ferns and low growing evergreens.