Obscure Astelias

I wondered if any of our NZ or Australian members, particularly, could
cast some light on the possibilities lurking in this genus? The only
one commonly grown in the UK is A. chathamica. (The RHS now wants
'Silver Spear' to be simply synonymous with the species. Opinions?) I
grow that and I also grow A. banksii and an un-ID-ed species, a gift
grown from seed by a friend. All three are so handsome and so
successful that I'd like to try more - but since they are anything but
cheap if bought from UK nurseries I'd like to have a notion of my
chances of success. Just about available from one or two nurseries
here are A. solandri (the RHS says A. cunninghamii is synonymous:
yes?), A. fragrans, and (only from the splendid Gary Dunlop at
Ballyrogan in N. Ireland, a treasure-house of rarities) A. graminea
and A. nivicola. How many of those are desirable? How many are
feasible in a climate with cool summers and mild but not frost-free
winters and lots of wet? Are there any other species lurking which
might be worth trying, whether in the open garden or (even) under
glass for winter? (My ancient copy of Harkness lists A. laevis, I
notice, from Australia. Is that still a 'real' name or has it been
changed or absorbed into something else?)

And (final query): why have I never germinated a single seed of any
astelia species? Is there some trick? Or is it one of those situations
where the seed needs to be sown fresh (and of course mine has always
been in seed-firm or gardening society storage)?

Thanks in advance for any help, advice or (most of all!) encouragement
in my madness -
Tim


Tim Longville
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