{"product_id":"astelia-chathamica-silver-spear","title":"Astelia chathamica Silver Spear","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAstelia chathamica\u003c\/strong\u003e, widely known as \u003cstrong\u003eSilver Spear\u003c\/strong\u003e, is one of the most striking architectural evergreens you can grow, forming a bold fountain of broad, arching, silvery metallic sword-like leaves that catch the light from right across the garden. Native to the wind-swept Chatham Islands of New Zealand, it brings cool, shimmering structure to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-foliage\"\u003earchitectural foliage\u003c\/a\u003e plantings, gravel schemes and large containers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrown for its year-round presence, Silver Spear holds its metallic silver rosette through every season. It is rated RHS H3 and is reliably hardy in mild and coastal areas, where it shrugs off salt-laden wind and makes a superb specimen. In colder inland gardens it is worth planting in a sheltered spot with sharp drainage and applying a dry winter mulch to protect the crown through prolonged hard frosts. For a fuller picture of how hardy exotics behave across the seasons, see our guide on \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e full sun to partial shade, with the brightest silver colour developing in an open, sunny spot sheltered from cold, drying winds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e any humus-rich, free-draining soil, as sharp drainage in winter matters more than anything else.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a slow, clump-forming habit reaching around 1.2 to 1.5 m tall and up to around 1 m across over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e hardy in mild and coastal gardens, worth shelter or a dry winter mulch in colder inland spots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first couple of summers to settle the roots, after which Silver Spear is impressively tolerant of dry spells and exposure. Its silvery tones make it a natural partner for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/coastal-plants\"\u003ecoastal planting\u003c\/a\u003e, dry and gravel gardens and bold \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic borders\u003c\/a\u003e, while its compact, non-invasive habit makes it one of the best \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e and courtyard containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA first-class choice for anyone building a collection of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e, every Silver Spear we supply is nursery-grown, selected for a healthy, well-coloured rosette and a strong root system, and packed with care to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"19cm \/ 3L","offer_id":57969806705023,"sku":"ASTECHATSILV19","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/astelia.jpg?v=1784328463","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/astelia-chathamica-silver-spear","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}