- Botanical name: Astelia chathamica 'Silver Shadow'
- Common name: Silver spear
- Family: Asteliaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Evergreen
Yellow
Green
Silver
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Flowers
- Fruits
Silver spear, Astelia chathamica, is a clump-forming perennial grown for its dramatic silver foliage. On female plants, the spear-shaped leaves are complemented by long stalks of pale green flowers in summer, followed by orange berries in autumn. It makes a good architectural plant and is ideal for growing in a mixed herbaceous border or as a focal point on its own right.
Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Shadow’ has pointed, silvery leaves. It looks particularly good with grasses and other foliage plants.
For best results grow Astelia chathamica ‘Silver Shadow’ in a sheltered spot in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. Not fully hardy, you may need to protect it in winter. Divide congested plants in spring or propagate by sowing fresh seed.
How to grow Astelia 'Silver Shadow'
-
Plant size
1.2m height
1.75m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, east facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle, back
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun, partial shade
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Fruits | ||||||||||||
| Fruits |
J
Plant does not fruit in January |
F
Plant does not fruit in February |
M
Plant does not fruit in March |
A
Plant does not fruit in April |
M
Plant does not fruit in May |
J
Plant does not fruit in June |
J
Plant does not fruit in July |
A
Plant does fruit in August |
S
Plant does fruit in September |
O
Plant does fruit in October |
N
Plant does not fruit in November |
D
Plant does not fruit in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Astelia 'Silver Shadow' and wildlife
Astelia 'Silver Shadow' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Astelia 'Silver Shadow' poisonous?
Astelia 'Silver Shadow' has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
