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mountain astelia

If you’re searching for a hardy, eye-catching New Zealand native, mountain astelia deserves a prime spot in your garden. Known botanically as Astelia nervosa, mountain astelia is celebrated for its architectural foliage and exceptional versatility. Whether you’re planting for texture, structure, or wildlife value, mountain astelia brings a distinctive silver-green shimmer and resilience to both residential landscapes and public spaces. Explore how this robust native can transform your outdoor areas, and discover companion Astelia varieties that suit every design ambition.

Phormium cookianum

4.5 from 2 customers

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall flower spikes. It typically grows 1–1.5 metres tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, mass plantings, or coastal gardens.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Ponds
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

4.8 from 4 customers

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in full sun on a well-drained site.

From $8.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Pseudowintera colorata colourful foliage.
Pseudowintera colorata

Pseudowintera colorata, commonly known as Mountain Horopito, is a NZ native shrub grown for its colourful foliage. New growth has dominant red tones...

From$387.55
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$22.01
fuscospora-cliffortioides-4
Fuscospora cliffortioides

Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech) is a distinctive New Zealand native evergreen tree valued for its fine foliage, natural form, and strong...

From$270.40
prunus-mountain-haze-
Prunus 'Mountain Haze'

Prunus 'Mountain Haze' is a beautiful flowering cherry that produces an abundance of soft blossoms during spring, creating a spectacular display in...

From$399.95
Juniperus 'Skyrocket' shrubs with blue-grey foliage.
Juniperus 'Skyrocket'

Juniperus 'Skyrocket', commonly known as the Skyrocket Juniper or Rocky Mountain Juniper, is a popular conifer that grows as a broad column. It...

From$270.40
A large Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia) plant with colourful foliage in a semi-shaded spot.
Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia)

Astelia nervosa, or Mountain Astelia, is a striking New Zealand native valued for its colourful, sword-like foliage. The leaves range from...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia 'Red Devil' plant growing a in pot with other colourful plants.
Astelia 'Red Devil'

Astelia 'Red Devil' is a compact, clump-forming native plant prized for its striking red-bronze foliage. Reaching approximately 60 cm in height and...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia grandis plant with green leaves.
Astelia grandis (Swamp Astelia)

Astelia grandis, known as Swamp Astelia, is a striking native plant found in damp, lowland forests and wetlands across New Zealand. It forms large...

OUT OF STOCK
Fantastic red and grey flax-like foliage on a large Astelia Westland plant.
Astelia 'Westland'

Astelia 'Westland' features striking and colourful fronds with the new fronds emerging a red-bronze colour and aging to become silver-green. It has a...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia Frosted Bronze plants with colourful foliage in a pot.
Astelia 'Frosted Bronze'

Astelia 'Frosted Bronze' features striking and colourful foliage. The new leaves emerge a red-bronze colour and age to become silver with a hint of...

OUT OF STOCK
Large Astelia banksii with cascading green leaves.
Astelia banksii (Wharawhara)

Astelia banksii, commonly known as Wharawhara or Shore Astelia, is a striking New Zealand native plant celebrated for its silver-grey, strap-like...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia 'Rebel' large plants with silver-red foliage in a garden.
Astelia 'Rebel'

Astelia 'Rebel' is a variety selected for its impressive, dark red-brown foliage. The long and slender leaves are held somewhat stiffly and densely...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia Silver Spear plant with beautiful silver foliage.
Astelia 'Silver Spear'

Astelia 'Silver Spear', commonly known as Kakaha) features striking silver foliage that is held in a gentle arch. It typically grows to 1.5 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) plant with lush green foliage growing beside a track.
Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax)

Astelia fragrans, commonly known as Bush Flax or Kakaha, is a hardy, clump-forming native plant of New Zealand. It features long, arching green...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia solandri (Perching Lily) plant with lush green foliage and pink flowers.
Astelia solandri (Perching Lily)

Astelia solandri, also known as Perching Lily or Kowharawhara, is a native New Zealand epiphytic or ground-dwelling plant with broad, arching green...

OUT OF STOCK
Large Astelia Silver Shadow plant with flax-like, silver and green coloured leaves.
Astelia 'Silver Shadow'

Astelia 'Silver Shadow' is a striking evergreen perennial valued for its broad silver toned foliage, architectural form, and strong year round...

OUT OF STOCK
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

OUT OF STOCK
Astelia trinervia plant.
Astelia trinervia

Astelia trinervia, commonly known as Kauri Grass, is a tall, NZ native Astelia. It grows as a clump and produces long, narrow, bright green leaves...

OUT OF STOCK
pieris-mountain-fire-4
Pieris 'Mountain Fire'

Pieris 'Mountain Fire' is a stunning evergreen shrub renowned for its brilliant red new growth that creates a dramatic display in spring. As the...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria lyallii tree with white flowers.
Hoheria lyallii

Hoheria lyallii, commonly known as Mountain Lacebark, is a small, semi-deciduous tree that grows to about 4 m high and 2.5 m wide. The leaves on...

OUT OF STOCK
Coprosma Lobster plant in a garden with vibrant red foliage.
Coprosma 'Lobster' (Mountain Coprosma )

Coprosma 'Lobster' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its glossy foliage in shades of deep red, burgundy, and chocolate. This compact shrub...

OUT OF STOCK
Blechnum montanum fern with green fronds.
Blechnum montanum (Mountain kiokio)

Blechnum montanum, commonly known as Mountain Kiokio, is a NZ native fern that is often found growing abundantly in cold and wet alpine conditions...

OUT OF STOCK
Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' palm tree.
Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' (Atlas Mountain Palm)

Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' is a striking evergreen palm valued for its beautiful silver blue fan shaped foliage and naturally clumping growth...

OUT OF STOCK
Podocarpus lawrencei plant with green foliage and red berries.
Podocarpus lawrencei (Mountain Plum Pine)

Podocarpus lawrencei (Plum Pine) is a hardy evergreen conifer admired for its dense fine textured foliage and naturally compact growth habit. This...

OUT OF STOCK
kalmia-pristine-
Kalmia latifolia 'Pristine' (Mountain Laurel)

Kalmia latifolia 'Pristine' is an elegant evergreen mountain laurel selected for its abundant pure white flowers that contrast beautifully against...

OUT OF STOCK
melaleuca-mountain-fire-
Melaleuca 'Mountain Fire'

Melaleuca 'Mountain Fire' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its vibrant red new growth that creates a bold display in NZ gardens. This eye...

OUT OF STOCK
Pseudopanax colensoi dark green leaves.
Pseudopanax colensoi (Mountain Five Finger)

Pseudopanax colensoi, commonly known as Rautawhiri, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub or small tree prized for its leathery, glossy green...

OUT OF STOCK
Olearia ilicifolia serrated foliage on a shrub with white flowers.
Olearia ilicifolia

Olearia ilicifolia, commonly known as Mountain Holly, is a hardy NZ native shrub or small tree valued for its distinctive holly like foliage and...

OUT OF STOCK
Nothofagus cliffortioides (Mountain Beech) red flowers and green foliage.
Nothofagus Cliffortioides

Nothofagus cliffortioides, commonly known as Mountain Beech, is a hardy NZ native tree that thrives in challenging conditions. It is recognised for...

OUT OF STOCK
Euphorbia 'Snow On The Mountain' plant.
Euphorbia 'Snow on the Mountain'

Euphorbia 'Snow on the Mountain' is a striking evergreen perennial admired for its attractive green foliage edged with creamy white and its clusters...

OUT OF STOCK

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Astelia, Fuscospora, and Juniperus, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Flaxes, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search mountain astelia

What Makes Mountain Astelia Special?

Mountain astelia stands out for its dense, arching leaves with metallic blue-grey hues—perfect for creating visual interest and contrasting with other natives or exotic species. As a New Zealand indigenous plant, it naturally thrives in cooler, moist environments, making it an excellent choice for bush gardens, coastal borders, or even challenging sites where other plants struggle. With a mature height of 1m-1.5m and tolerance of partial shade or full sun, mountain astelia is superb as a specimen plant, massed in groupings, or used for erosion control on slopes.

Growing Mountain Astelia in Your Garden

Mountain astelia is remarkably easy to grow. It prefers well-drained soils but is adaptive to a range of conditions, from damp knolls to dappled woodland. Maintenance is minimal: simply remove older leaves and mulch annually to suppress weeds and retain moisture. The plant’s slow growth rate makes it an excellent low-fuss addition that rewards gardeners with year-round foliage and seasonal flower spikes. To source premium specimens, visit our page for Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia), where you’ll find healthy plants ready for planting.

Wildlife and Ecological Benefits

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, mountain astelia is an eco-friendly choice. Its dense foliage provides shelter for native birds and insects, while the silver coloration reflects light, cooling garden spaces during the hotter months. For those looking to build a wildlife-friendly garden, mountain astelia makes an excellent foundation. Pair it with other New Zealand natives to encourage pollinators and foster biodiversity.

Companion Astelia Varieties

If you want to expand your garden palette, Astelia genus offers several striking options. Consider Astelia 'Red Devil' for vibrant burgundy tones, or Astelia grandis (Swamp Astelia) for wetland plantings and lush foliage. Astelia 'Westland' delivers compact silvery tufts ideal for smaller gardens or container displays, while Astelia 'Frosted Bronze' features a unique bronze sheen and frost tolerance. Mixing these with mountain astelia can create dynamic, layered plantings that evolve beautifully with the seasons.

Plant Mountain Astelia and Transform Your Landscape

Mountain astelia embodies both rugged endurance and remarkable elegance—the perfect combination for New Zealand gardens. Whether you’re seeking erosion control, ornamental foliage, or increased biodiversity, this native strives in a variety of conditions and complements a wide array of companion plants. Browse our selection and find inspiration with Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia) and other related Astelia varieties. Embrace the natural beauty of New Zealand’s flora and enjoy a flourishing, textural landscape year-round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
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