About
Astelia banksii is a perennial plant that remains green year-round, typically growing to a height of approximately 1.2 meters. It features narrow, arching leaves that resemble swords and have a silvery hue. During the summer, clusters of small green flowers can emerge, and female specimens will develop purple fruit afterward.
About the genus
Astelia consists of evergreen perennials that grow in clumps and have rhizomatous roots. They feature arching, linear leaves with a keeled shape and a silvery hue. The plants produce panicles of small flowers that are either pale greenish or brown, and female specimens will bear orange or red berries afterward.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Coastal, Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- New Zealand
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist, but reasonably well-drained, fertile soil in a sheltered spot. Tolerates full sun but prefers partial shade. The foliage can be damaged by frost and cold wind so may need winter protection
- Pruning
- Remove or trim winter-damaged foliage in spring
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring; divisions can be slow to establish
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free, but may be susceptible to root rots