One of the first plants I ever mail-ordered was a painfully expensive Astelia chathamica 'Silver Spear', and it rapidly died. This from a West Coast specialty seller of some renown in the plant lover's world. Now I would know it was a poor specimen, that the roots, on arrival uctious, black, and stinking, were not supposed to be black and stinking, that I had been sent a poor plant and I should have complained. But back then I didn't know enough about roots.
Ever since, I felt I had unfinished business with the genus Astelia, and finally last week I got another, this one 'Silver Shadow', which is a selection of A. chathamica x A. nervosa. From a big-box store of no renown in the plant lover's world. Cheap. It looked so perfectly healthy--it called to me, soft and clear, as they do. You've heard the voices too, I'm sure. The voice we answer all too often.
I've never bought anything ever again from that West Coast seller of renown. One bad expensive plant was enough. Now, if the roots of this Astelia turn black and stink, it will be entirely my fault.
Here's hoping the roots don't turn black and stinky. I've been very tempted by the Astelias at my local nursery. It's one of those plants I'm not convinced will live through our rainy winter. I love the look of it though. Maybe in a container. I have heard the voices.
ReplyDeleteIt's a New Zealand plant, so cooler summers and moderately cooler, wetter winters (with excellent drainage) are likely better for it than my climate.
DeleteThat's lovely, I'm sure you'll do better this time. Where will you put it?
ReplyDeleteRight now its in a pot screening out the neighbor's bedroom window. I'll see how it does in a pot for a while.
DeleteEver since Denise posted about it on A Growing Obsession, I have been intrigued by Astelia. Hope it thrives for you this time!
ReplyDeleteYes, her's is gorgeous. It motivated me to try again.
Deletewhat a lovely plant !!!
ReplyDeleteIt is! It looks like polished metal in the right light.
DeleteOh the voices... Love these and had a couple of them in my garden for a few years but lost them during our famous (among gardeners in the area) phormium killing winters, two exceptionally winters in a row that took out nearly every phormium in the area also took my Astelias and a few other lovelies. Happy white and sweet smelling roots!
ReplyDeleteWhat do they want, Outlaw? Lots of water, no water, fertilizer, no fertilizer, sun, shade...?
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