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silver spear flax

Silver spear flax is a distinctive and striking architectural plant that brings bold texture and shimmering colour to New Zealand gardens. Renowned for its silvery-green, sword-like leaves arranged in sculptural clumps, this native flax is an eye-catching choice for modern landscaping, coastal gardens, or as a dramatic specimen feature in garden beds and borders. If you’re searching for a reliable, low-maintenance plant with year-round appeal, silver spear flax is a perfect match.

Callistemon 'Little John' shrub in a courtyard garden covered in elegant, red flowers.

Callistemon 'Little John'

5 from 3 customers

Callistemon 'Little John' is a compact dwarf bottlebrush celebrated for its deep red flowers and fine blue green foliage. Flowering from spring into summer, it attracts bees and birds while maintaining a neat rounded shape all year.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.

Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which result in blue berries. This NZ Flax Lily features narrow, grass-like foliage that is dark green and held densely, growing to 60 cm tall and the same width.

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 65 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' shrub covered in pretty, red flowers.
Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' (Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Genoa Glory' is a striking bottlebrush variety known for its vivid crimson red flower spikes and lush evergreen foliage. Flowering from...

From$27.53
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$19.95
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$14.95
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.
Dianella 'Blaze'

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red...

From$16.49
calocephalus-silver-nugget--1
Calocephalus 'Silver Nugget' (Dwarf Cushion Bush)

Calocephalus 'Silver Nugget' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its finely branched silver foliage that creates a soft, rounded mound of colour...

From$23.39
Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$14.95
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$7.50
phormium-pepe-
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$19.95
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$249.95
Cerastium tomentosum ground cover with grey foliage and elegant white flowers.
Cerastium tomentosum

Cerastium tomentosum is an herbaceous perennial featuring tiny, white, star shaped flowers through spring and summer. These are complemented with...

From$20.01
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

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...

From$8.50
Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' bushy plants in pots.
Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen'

Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub admired for its delicate, silvery-green foliage and airy appearance. Ideal for hedging...

From$206.50
Helichrysum petiolare plants with grey foliage growing as a ground cover.
Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller)

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant) is a popular evergreen plant valued for its soft silver foliage and trailing growth habit. The attractive...

From$24.77
corokia-geentys-ghost-1
Corokia 'Geentys Ghost'

Corokia 'Geentys Ghost' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that grows as a mass of wiry and tangled branches bearing small, dark green leaves with a silver...

From$17.95
Santolina chamaecyparissus plants with grey foliage and yellow flowers.
Santolina chamaecyparissus

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Cotton Lavender) is a hardy evergreen shrublet known for its silver grey foliage and compact, rounded form. This...

From$24.77
heuchera-glitter-
Heuchera 'Glitter'

Heuchera 'Glitter' is a stunning perennial admired for its shimmering silver foliage highlighted with dark veining and rich purple undersides. The...

From$22.01
perovskia-atriplicifolia--1
Perovskia atriplicifolia

Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly known as Russian Sage, is a striking perennial admired for its airy spikes of lavender blue flowers and aromatic...

From$27.53
A fabulous Convolvulus cneorum plant with grey foliage and masses of white flowers.
Convolvulus cneorum

Convolvulus cneorum Silver Bush is a striking compact shrub valued for its silvery foliage and masses of bright white funnel shaped flowers. This sun...

From$21.39
heuchera-northern-exposure-silver-
Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver'

Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Silver' is a stunning perennial prized for its large silver foliage accented with dark veining and its exceptional garden...

From$22.01
olive-manzanillo-6
Olive 'Manzanillo'

Olive 'Manzanillo' is a popular olive variety prized for its large flavoursome fruit that is ideal for both table olives and oil production. This...

From$34.43
Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and...

From$129.95
olive-verdale-
Olive 'Verdale'

Olive 'Verdale' is a productive olive variety valued for its large fruit, excellent oil quality, and attractive silver green foliage. This evergreen...

From$34.43
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
olive-j2-
Olive 'J2'

Olive 'J2' is a productive olive variety valued for its reliable cropping, attractive silver green foliage, and suitability to New Zealand growing...

From$393.94
olive-rakino-2
Olive 'Rakino'

Olive 'Rakino' is a hardy olive variety valued for its attractive silver green foliage, productive growth, and suitability to New Zealand conditions...

From$34.43
olive-ascolano-
Olive 'Ascolano'

Olive 'Ascolano' is an evergreen olive tree valued for its large table olives and attractive silver green foliage. The fruit has a generous...

From$34.43
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
brunia-silver-moons-
Brunia 'Silver Moons' (Brunia Silver Moons)

Brunia 'Silver Moons' is a shrub with unusual flowers. The flowers in winter and spring are silver and appear as tight, bead like heads. It grows as...

From$27.53
Callistemon 'Little John'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callistemon, Calocephalus, and Dianella, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search silver spear flax

What Is Silver Spear Flax?

The term "silver spear flax" is often used to describe hybrids and selections of Astelia species with silver-toned foliage. One of the most popular is Astelia 'Silver Spear', an outstanding cultivar selected for its robust growth and striking metallic leaves. Unlike traditional New Zealand flax (phormium), silver spear flax is in the Astelia genus, which brings a softer arching habit and unique colour.

Features and Garden Uses

Silver spear flax thrives in both full sun and partial shade, adapting well to a variety of garden situations. The silvery foliage is not only visually appealing but also beautifully complements native plantings and provides a modern contrast against darker evergreens. As a tough, wind-tolerant plant, silver spear flax is ideal for exposed coastal gardens as well as sheltered spots.

Popular uses of silver spear flax include:

Pairing silver spear flax with contrasting forms and textures can add depth and interest to your design. For instance, try combining it with Dianella 'Revelation' for blue-green tones, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' for upright accent, or the graceful Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) for a lush, layered effect.

Care and Maintenance

One of the main reasons silver spear flax has become so popular is its easy-care nature. Plant in free-draining soil enriched with organic matter, and mulch to conserve moisture during dry spells. This robust perennial rarely suffers from pests or diseases. Occasional grooming to remove old or damaged leaves will help maintain its stylish appearance. Silver spear flax tolerates moderate frost, summer drought once established, and exposure to salt-laden coastal winds.

Related Plants for Diverse Landscapes

If you love the look of silver spear flax but want to expand your garden palette, explore related varieties that thrive under similar conditions. Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) offers broad, green foliage in a more traditional bush flax style, while Dianella 'Revelation' brings an elegant upright habit with blue-tinged leaves. For smaller spaces or intricate designs, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is a compact flax with great versatility. For those seeking indoor statement plants, Sansevieria Black Coral makes a stylish companion.

Bring Silver Spear Flax to Your Garden

Whether you’re creating a bold landscape or looking for lower-maintenance yet dynamic plants, silver spear flax is an exceptional choice. With its metallic foliage, adaptability, and ease of care, it's no wonder this plant is a favourite with New Zealand gardeners and designers. Explore our range of flaxes and Astelia offerings to find the perfect combination for your space.

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.
Our garden favourites Corokia 'Bronze King' and Stromanthe 'Triostar' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' (Pencil Cypress), Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue), and Hydrangea 'Leuchtfeuer'.
–The Plant Company

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