Astelia chathamica

Astelia chathamica is endemic to the cold, rugged, windswept Chatham Islands off the SE Coast of mainland New Zealand at latitude 44° South where it grows in swampy peat bogs. It is a large impressive Astelia with an architectural appearance and distinctive silvery arching foliage that is covered with a silky indumentum of white hairs. On mature specimens the pale yellowish-green star-shaped flowers are followed by berries that are at first greenish-yellow and maroon surrounded by remnant purple tepals before they ripen to a bright orange colour.

Astelia chathamica is a robust-growing plant but usually needs extra winter protection in most locations in the UK. The simple expediency of a heavy-guage fleece covering is usually enough. In mild winters or in favoured southern locations this is often not necessary.

It likes a rich moist yet well-drained acidic soil. best achieved with a humus-rich and sandy mix with the addition of peat and well-rotted manure. Mulch with leaf mold or bark.

Mass plantings of Astelia chathamica are very effective in larger landscaping plans in milder locations or within the microclimate of the London urban heat island.