Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Astelia nivicola ‘Red Gem’ is my favorite plant in the garden, this week…

The temperatures we’ve experienced this winter in the PNW are astelia killers. Once upon a time I had upwards of half a dozen huge astelias in my garden. But along with killing all the phormiums in Portland, the winters of 2008/09 and 2009/10 did in my astelia collection. I swore I would only grow them in containers after that. But then during a tour in the spring of 2011 Sean Hogan pointed at an astelia in his garden which had made it though the killing winters. I was doubtful, after his garden stays a little warmer than mine, but what did I have to lose? I bought one. Meet Astelia nivicola ‘Red Gem’...

And although it certainly isn't huge it is still very much alive, and that folks, is all that matters.

Oh and of course then I bought another. And it's still alive too!

Here's the Cistus description: "Our favorite nivicola collection, again from New Zealand, forming clumps to 2' wide by roughly 18" tall with numerous leaves, all coated with a soft silver fur, that become deep red, almost burgundy, with light and frost in winter. Very striking! This has been one of the toughest creatures, not having received frost damage even in the 14 °F, arctic extravaganza in 1996. Also an amazingly good container plant where burgundy tones in rosette-forming plants are hard to come by. Even summer moisture in bright light for best color, though accepting of shade. Tolerant of frost to 10 °F, USDA zone 8, with reports of near 0 °F out of the wind." Okay but here's the thing...I am a touch superstitious, and here I am singing the praises of a plant that's under siege right now outside in the garden. These pictures were all taken last week when there was warmth and sunshine. Am I tempting fate by featuring a plant that's being tested for the second time this winter?

Let's take a look at how the other planted-out astelia are doing (because of course a couple mild winters in a row had me breaking my "container only" vow) . This one an Astelia chathamica is somehow clinging to life. It's not pretty but heck, it's green!

Another Astelia chathamica...not much green there.

Here's how the Astelia banksii looks. But wait! There's a little green on the left! However it didn't get any coverage today as I prepared for the cold temperatures so I doubt that green will be around come Sunday.
But this post is about the survivor right? Here are the stats for Astelia nivicola ‘Red Gem’...
  • evergreen (silver, bronze) plant hardy in USDA Zones 8a - 10b
  • eventually reaches a size of 18" tall by 2' wide
  • even moisture (that means some summer water) and bright light
  • from New Zealand
So are there any plants in your garden you're especially appreciating in early February? Something blooming? Emerging from the soil? Clinging to life? Please share...

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

35 comments:

  1. My favorite Astelia here in the Bay Area also, but apparently we don't get the necessary conditions to develop the reddish tints, because I never understood the "porque" of the cultivar name; quite subtle down here. Great foliage plant,only downside, rather slow to get noteworthy size, and gophers like to chow down on the roots, (same with Phormiums).

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    1. I'll have to look back at my photos from summer-time but I swear it's not just a wintertime thing (the color). I am so so so lucky (knocking on wood, crossing my fingers, tossing salt, etc) that I don't have a gopher problem.

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  2. That's a pretty plant! In photos it looks a lot like a sedge though, and some of those sedges are the most cold-hardy things I grow, staying green (and variegated) even when the temp has dipped into single digits. Why not plant some sedges nearby to give the Astelias some motivation (in the form of peer pressure). :)

    BTW, I wish my retaining wall blocks could get that mossy!

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    1. I've never seen a sedge that even comes close to the beauty of this plant (or other astelias)...please give me a name (or two). I'd love to know which ones are your favorites!

      I do love the moss...

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  3. What a great choice! I'm going to have to look for this one. I've been wanting an Astelia or two for a while, but I've been a bit leery of the hardiness. One of the gardens at the show featured a lot of Astelias in a fabulous combo with black mondo grass.

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    1. Oh that sounds gorgeous! Silver and black is always a winning combination in my book.

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  4. OK Now I have to get one. I had my paws wrapped around this at Xera multiple times last year and never did buy it. Now I must have.

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  5. It's a beautiful plant and its resilience certainly earns it extra points. I managed to kill another variety of Astelia here, transplants I received from a friend - whether the cause was too little sun, rocky soil or just transplant shock I'm still unsure but I need to try it again (maybe in one of my new beds). My contribution this week is an Echium: http://dangergarden.blogspot.com/2014/02/astelia-nivicola-red-gem-is-my-favorite.html

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    1. You should try it again! Oh and it looks like your link is back to my post! Here's Kris' fav: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-favorite-plant-this-week-echium.html

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  6. Funny, I've always wanted an Astelia chathamica or two for my backyard but never got around to it. Astelias are gorgeous, and your post prompted me to go out and finally buy a few!

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    1. Really? This post? You've already went shopping? You're amazing Gerhard!

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  7. I took a chance with Astelia 'Silver Shadow' last year and it was beautiful. I thought it barely made it through the last cold spell after being covered with a bucket for a week. This cold spell will finish it off.

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    1. Perhaps it's time to go with 'red gem'...?

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  8. Favorite showy/dramatic sedges, Carex baccans for the seed spikes, and C. oemiensis 'Evergold' for the foliage, gets 2 foot tall by across here.

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    1. Oh the seed spikes on Carex baccans are fabulous! Thank you!

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  9. Astelia nivicola and its named varieties are proving to be stars when it comes to hardiness, not to mention they are beautiful. Have also found Westland hardy too. Chathamica hit or miss, Banksii downright not hardy, or perhaps more like borderline hardy.

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    1. I lost a couple of gorgeous Westland in the winter storm I referenced. Thankfully I've got one in a container that still looks good!

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  10. That's one tough Astelia! Hope it makes it through this second deep freeze!

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  11. Beautiful plant. Hope it does not suffer and stays ok until spring.

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    1. Thanks Lisa, spring can't come fast enough!

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  12. The colors are yummy. You are like a test garden scouting out the winners for the rest of us. Here's my fave for this week: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/3581

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  13. What a beautiful colour that is. Very unique! And so many within the same plant. I also love whatever palm is in the third photo - what is that?
    Favourite: http://crmbsgrdn.blogspot.com.au/2014/02/my-favourite-plant-in-garden-this-week.html

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    1. Trachycarpus fortunei, I'm thrilled it's finally starting to get some height!

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  14. I love that Astelia! Love silver, love red, love evergreens with seasonal changes! Maybe I can find a warm spot or two in my parents' frost pocket of a garden. I can sneak one in while I'm staying with them this summer.

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    1. Good luck! If they reject them I know a garden here in Portland where you could plant them...

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  15. ... We've had 60 inches of snow so far this winter... I can't even SEE any of the plants other than the half-dead variegated Thujopsis (that will be getting pullled this spring since it apparently can't handle our winter) and a very happy looking Horstman's Silberlocke Korean fir, so I guess the Korean fir wins this battle! Even if it weren't the only thing green in my yard it would still be a winner, as far as conifers go, it's a stunner!

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    1. Ah yes, I love those white needle undersides! 60" of snow, good lord...

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  16. The variegation is very nice, I hope it does well through the winter for you! My plant pick of the week is another bamboo, Sasa kurilensis shimofuri variegata.

    http://weedingonthewildside.blogspot.com/2014/02/sasa-kurilensis-favorite-plant-pick-of.html

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  17. Such pretty leaves! I hope it makes it through your winter... My favorite plant this week has some frost damage, but is still brightening this February...

    http://gardeninguptoeleven.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-favorite-plant-this-week.html

    Thanks for helping me look on the bright side of this winter!

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