ASTELIA. A small group of perennials of the lily family, native mostly to New Zealand. They form dense tufts of shoots from short, thick rhizomes. Their narrow, arching basal leaves are often covered with silky or silvery hairs. The flowers are generally greenish and inconspicuous, but they are followed by showy yellow to red berries. Sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, acid, well drained soil, constant moisture. Those listed are probably hardy to 15oF or below.
chathamica ‘Silver Spear’. This selection has broad, bold leaves up to 3' long, densely covered on both surfaces with silvery hairs. The berries are orange, abundantly produced only in older plants. Introduced by Duncan & Davies Nursery, New Zealand.
nivicola ‘Red Gem’ is another Duncan & Davies introduction, about which we have very little information. The leaves are about 1' long and narrow, pressing nearly to the ground. They have maroon striping on a green background, all overlaid by a silky sheen from the abundant soft hair. The berry color is undescribed.