Arthropodium species and plants
Renga Renga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily
Plants for dry shade are always in demand and some of the Arthropodium species may just be the ideal plant to try.
It is the Renga Renga Lily or Arthropodium cirratum (New Zealand Rock Lily) with its attractive evergreen foliage that is the flowering perennial most widely used. A hardy clumping plant they cope well with a warmer position in the garden.
The cultivar that we like is known as Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’ which is a fantastic plant for dry shade. A. cirratum will reach 60cm to 80 cm with flower spike to 1m, originally from New Zealand. All species are for the foliage as well as the flowers ranging from purple and yellow to a chocolate color which appear during spring to summer. Great ornamental plant in rockeries.
Arthropodium Plant Profile and Growing Hints
Arthropodium are a group of herbaceous perennials plants, only two from New Zealand. Sometimes called the Renga Renga Lily, they do make a great border plant forming a dense clump of sword-like foliage topped with white flower spikes. Grows to 80cm.
With eight species, four native to Australia, two from new zealand and two from the nearby Pacific Islands and as far away as Madagascar they do differ in growth habit as well as common name.
Species and cultivars include:
From New Zealand
- A. candidum ‘Rubrum’ is the ‘Dwarf Rock Lily’.
- A. bifurcatum
- A. cirratum – Includes the cultivar ‘Matapouri Bay’.
From Australia
- A. milleflorum ‘Pale vanilla lily’.
- A. curvipes
- A. minus ‘Small vanilla lily’.
- A. dyeri
From Madagascar and New Caledonia
- A. caesiodes
- A. neocaledonicum
These two species from Australia have recently been reclassified to a different genus.
- A. strictum ‘Chocolate lily’. (syn Dichopogon strictum)
- A. fimbriatum ‘Nodding Chocolate-lily’. (syn Dichopogon fimbriatum)
How To Grow Arthropodium cirratum -Basic Care
Best panted in a humus rich soil in light shade.
- Dig in some well rotted compost before plants.
- Ensure the position is well drained.
- Plants should be watered in with a liquid seaweed fertiliser.
- Additional water may be required through the first summer.
- Fertilize with a general purpose slow release type in spring.
- Tidy up,by removing old dead foliage as it appear.
- Watch for snails, especially on young plants.
Renga Renga Lily or Arthropodium are available for sale from the following nurseries
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au