Overview
Astelia cockaynei is a plant with a clump-forming, bushy habit in the genus Astelia, part of the Asteliaceae family, with evergreen, sword-shaped, metallic sheen foliage. Astelia cockaynei grows best in partial shade and full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include architectural feature, mixed borders, herbaceous borders and containers.
About
Astelia cockaynei is a clump-forming, bushy evergreen plant with sword-shaped foliage that has a distinctive metallic sheen. It thrives in partial shade to full sun and prefers a sheltered position with east or west-facing aspect. Suitable for a range of soil types including loam and sand, it tolerates acid, alkaline, and neutral pH levels, provided the soil is moist and well-drained. Hardy to UK zone H3, this cultivar is ideal as an architectural feature in mixed or herbaceous borders and containers, and can be propagated by division or seed.
About the genus
Astelia is a genus of flowering plants in the recently named family Asteliaceae. They are rhizomatous tufted perennials native to various islands in the Pacific, Indian, and South Atlantic Oceans, as well as to Australia and to the southernmost tip of South America. A significant number of the known species are endemic to New Zealand.
Wikipedia contributors, "Astelia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Astelia
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Astelia
- Sunlight
- Partial shade, Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
Astelia cockaynei size, habit and characteristics
- Habit
- Clump-forming, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Sword-shaped, Metallic sheen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural feature, Mixed borders, Herbaceous borders, Containers
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Astelia cockaynei
- Propagation
- Division, Seed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-resistant
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-resistant
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Astelia cockaynei?
Astelia cockaynei prefers partial shade and full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Astelia cockaynei need?
Astelia cockaynei grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist to well-drained.
Is Astelia cockaynei hardy in the UK?
Astelia cockaynei has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.
How do I propagate Astelia cockaynei?
Division, Seed.