Arthropodium Cirratum 'Te Puna'
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New Zealand Rock Lily / Renga Lily
Botanical Name: Arthropodium cirratum ‘Te Puna’
Family: Asparagaceae (Lomandroideae)
Origin: New Zealand (coastal/forest margins)
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial (grass & strappy)
Overview
A resilient, shade-loving NZ rock lily selected for tidy clumps and generous flower displays. ‘Te Puna’ forms broad, arching, glossy leaves and produces airy sprays of white, starry blooms with purple stamens in late spring–summer (lightly scented). Ideal for Adelaide/South Australian gardens as a mass under trees, for dry shade and coastal sites; once established it copes well with heat and summer dryness.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 0.45–0.6 m H × 0.5–0.8 m W (foliage); flower stems to 0.8–1.0 m
- Growth Rate: 15-30 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Broad, mid- to deep-green, softly arching, tidy clumps (slightly neater/denser habit than ‘Matapouri Bay’)
- Flowers: White, starry panicles with purple/yellow accents (late spring–summer), lightly fragrant
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen mounds; showy flower wands in late spring–summer
- Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat- and wind-tolerant, second-line coastal; handles light frost (protect from hard/black frosts, especially in Adelaide Hills frost pockets)
- Planting Density: Borders/edging: 3 per metre (≈ 30–40 cm centres); Mass planting: 4–6 plants/m²; Containers: 30–40 cm pots; divide or up-pot as clumps thicken
- Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats & dogs (ingestion of any foliage may upset tummies)
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Part shade to shade (morning sun or dappled light suits Adelaide; avoid harsh afternoon summer sun)
- Soil: Well-drained loam or sandy loam; enrich with organic matter; avoid waterlogged winter clay
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2–3 weeks in summer (weekly in heatwaves); minimal in winter
- Maintenance: Remove spent flower stems at the base; trim tatty leaves; top-dress with compost; low-P, balanced feed in spring if needed; divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate
- Lifespan: 5–10+ years with basic care
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA, including sheltered coastal areas and inner Adelaide courtyards
- Soil pH: Neutral (tolerates slightly acidic–slightly alkaline)
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Mass under trees and in dry shade for a lush, low-maintenance carpet
- Edge paths and borders; weave between stepping stones for soft, strappy texture
- Feature in containers/courtyards; great coastal or poolside accent with grasses and succulents
Why You Will Love It
‘Te Puna’ gives Adelaide gardens handsome, glossy foliage and clouds of white flowers with very low fuss—perfect for those tricky dry, shady SA spots where many plants struggle.