Astelia 'Silver Shadow'

Astelia 'Silver Shadow' carries some of the most reflective foliage of any hardy perennial: broad, arching swords in gleaming, almost white metallic silver that light up a border the way water catches sun. This selected hybrid forms a poised evergreen clump to around a metre, tidier than the big species astelias but every bit as luminous.Like all astelias it hails from New Zealand, where these plants grow from windswept coasts to mountain forest, and that heritage shows in its salt tolerance and easy-going nature. It is the plant we reach for when a scheme of hardy exotics needs a shot of pure light between greens and purples.How and where to grow Position: full sun to light shade, sheltered; the silver is brightest in good light. Soil: fertile, free-draining; enrich with organic matter and avoid winter wet. Size: to around 1 m tall and wide. Hardiness: H3, to about -5C. Sharp winter drainage matters more than cold. Use it in gravel and drought-tolerant plantings, in coastal gardens, or in a generous container where the arching blades reach eye level; it is one of the finest plants for pots we grow. Compare it with the bolder 'Silver Spear' and the bronze-red 'Westland' to complete the metallic trio.Nursery-grown and scarce; we hold only a couple of plants at a time. Our seasonal expectations guide covers winter care honestly.