Cast iron and stunning

We never seem to have enough of our most popular variegated cast iron plants, so we’ve held back stock to try and rebuild our numbers.  We are finally able to again list three customer favorites…all in the same year. The foliage color on each is the most brilliant when the new leaves emerge in summer, and the color holds beautiful through the winter. All of these images were taken in the gardens here at Juniper Level.

Aspidistra elatior ‘Sekko Kan’ (above)

Aspidistra elatior ‘Snow Cap’ (above)

Aspidistra elatior ‘Ashai’ (above)

15 thoughts on “Cast iron and stunning”

  1. I bought some of the Ashai last spring and it is completely green so far. I have been trying to be patient, but disappointed.

    1. Sadly, the societal requirement for instant satisfaction is why wonderful plants like this aren’t sold in garden centers or nurseries. It’s one of those plants that simply requires patience, but once it is well established, it will show the white tips.

  2. Are these for sale now? I have been patiently waiting for these after seeing them in the display gardens.

    1. They will color up in pots, but only after they become well established. We have not performed any trials to see how the coloring is affected by very low light conditions indoors. Perhaps others who have tried these in those conditions will comment. Great question.

  3. Genevieve Eason

    OK… I need some help; I’m sure it’s here somewhere, I just don’t know how to find the info. What are the requirements for the cast irons to survive in the yard… and, judging from comments they do not go dormant in the winter? Thanks

    1. Great question…average to dry soils, light to full shade…even an hour or two of morning sun is fine. They are evergreen, but some of the tender zone 9 species will actually survive in zone 7b, but they become deciduous.

  4. Marcella G Moore

    I have grown both the variegated and plain green Aspidistra for years in my deep shade, dry garden. The only problem I have had is slugs. I have to make sure To apply plenty of slug bait around my plants. I would love to grow “Snow Cape.”

  5. Totally drool worthy plants!!! I had Ashai at one time years ago, but it gave up the ghost after a couple of years. I’m in 7a with clay soils so some plants like this are wishful thinking. I did see a really spectacular one in a small pot down in Florida-should have snagged it!!!

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