Botanical name:

Astelia nervosa

Common name(s):

Mountain Astelia

About:

A native New Zealand flax-like plant, characterised by its gracefully arched red and bronze leaves, although the further north you go the more green the leaves become. The stunning coloration and unique appearance of this plant make it a highly sought-after choice for home gardens and various landscaping projects, adding vibrant visual interest to outdoor spaces.

Natural habitat:

These hardy plants are naturally found in grasslands, forests and mountains to sub alpine levels.

Growing environment:

Sun, Drought, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

A. nervosa may be confined to the South and Stewart Islands; North Island plants have greener leaves with a brownish/bronze indumentum on the abaxial (lower) surfaces and these may constitute an unnamed taxon.

Height: 1.5m

Flowering:

November – January with a Brown or Red/Pink coloured flowers.

Fruiting:

March – May with red - orange berries.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Pioneer Plantings & Containers.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though