Astelia nervosa Westland

Astelia nervosa 'Westland' is a remarkably sculptural perennial plant that resembles a Phormium in its bushy habit. Its linear and slightly trailing leaves have a dark green base and bronze tones that turn red in cold weather. They are entirely covered in bristles that give silvery highlights. This not very hardy plant is decorative all year round, and will make a sensation in mild climate or coastal gardens, in borders, beds or rockeries. Elsewhere, grow it in a pot so you can protect it from the cold during winter. It prefers rich, acidic to neutral, well-drained soils that remain moist in summer.

From the asteliaceae or liliaceae family according to classification, Astelia nervosa is a rhizomatous perennial plant that grows naturally in peaty meadows on the North Island of New Zealand. It develops very silvery fine foliage. 'Westland' is a hybrid derived from A. nervosa that stands out for its sword-shaped, arched leaves tinted with silvery bronze. They turn reddish in winter. It forms a dense clump that can reach 80 to 100 cm high and 40 to 60 cm wide. Floral stems emerge from the clump in spring, in April-May. They bear white flowers arranged in panicles. On the female plants, reddish-orange berries follow.

Astelia 'Westland' is decorative all year and brings a modern touch to your compositions: borders, flower beds, edges or rockeries. It is hardy down to -8°C or even -10°C in sheltered locations so it can be planted in the ground in milder regions. It dislikes heavy frosts, as well as hot and dry conditions. Where it is not possible to plant this original plant in the ground, opt for a beautiful pot. For a contemporary border, combine your Astelia 'Westland' with Muhlenbergia capillaris, a grass with airy pink late summer flowering, and Erigeron karvinskianus with numerous white and pink daisy-like flowers.