Astelia

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as Silver Spear, is a striking perennial featuring silvery sword-shaped leaves. Ideal for coastal gardens or containers, this hardy plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils.

I have grown these for many years and it has easily become one of my favourite hardy evergreens. I have never had an issue with plant loss through the colder seasons and leave mine outside all winter long, though some leaves may sustain some frost damage, but removing these in early spring will redirect it’s energy into new shinier leaves. Originally from New Zealand these plants can be epiphytic, growing on tree branches or out of rocky surfaces, although I keep mine more terrestrial and find they are perfect in pots or planted directly in the ground.