Astelia chathamica

A great many members of the Astelia genus come from New Zealand where they are largely epiphytes, the forests there are dripping with them. Chathamica clearly comes from the Chatham islands. Its a very good foliage plant for the shade garden where it will gradually make large clumps to 1.2m tall, there is no loss of colour in the shade. Like all woodlanders it like a humus rich soil and loads of mulch. Also makes a nice tub plant probably best potted in orchid mix.