Renga Renga Lily

Renga Renga Lily 'Matapouri Bay' (Arthropodium cirratum) is the answer to dry shade under established trees, where most plants give up. It forms a clump of broad, arching grey green leaves about 80cm each way, then throws up airy sprays of white star flowers in spring. This selection has noticeably larger leaves than the common form, so a mass planting reads as lush rather than thin.

Why you'll love it

• It thrives in dry shade. Root competition under trees defeats most groundcovers. This one copes, once it is established.
• Spring flowers that carry a bed. Tall sprays of small white stars float above the foliage and bring in bees and butterflies.
• Coastal and salt tolerant. It handles salt laden wind, so it works in the shaded parts of a beach garden where choices are limited.
• Almost no maintenance. Pull off tired leaves once a year and cut the spent flower stems. There is nothing else to do.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 50cm apart for a solid, lush sweep. At that spacing the clumps meet within two seasons and shade out most weeds.

Under trees and along shaded borders. Use it as the green floor beneath canopy trees or on the shaded side of the house, where the pale flowers show up well in low light.

Pots and coastal gardens. A single clump suits a 300mm pot on a shaded balcony, and it takes salt wind in exposed coastal beds.

Growing Renga Renga Lily in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade to full shade gives the broadest, greenest leaves. It tolerates morning sun, but hot afternoon sun bleaches and scorches the foliage. It grows well in cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and takes light frost only, so hard frosting inland districts should give it the shelter of a wall or a canopy.

Soil. Free draining soil of almost any quality, including sandy and poor ground. It resents sitting wet through winter, so improve heavy clay with compost and plant slightly proud of the surface.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer while the roots take hold, then only in long dry spells. A handful of slow release fertiliser in early spring keeps the leaves broad and the flowering heavy.

Maintenance. Cut spent flower stems at the base after flowering and remove old outer leaves in late winter. Snails and slugs will chew new leaves in wet weather, so keep an eye on fresh growth in spring.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown as tube stock and as a 200mm pack of six. Tube stock plants are small clumps of a few leaves, the sensible choice for a large mass planting, taking about two seasons to fill their space. The 200mm plants are established clumps that read immediately and usually flower in their first spring.

Strappy leaved plants travel well, though a bent or creased leaf on arrival is normal and is replaced by the next flush. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, minimum order $300 before delivery, with our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The best ground cover plants for shade
• Browse the groundcover range
• Plants suited to mass planting

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

At 50cm spacing you need four plants per square metre. That gives a closed, even cover by the second season without crowding the clumps.

Will it grow in full sun?

It survives, but the leaves lose colour and scorch at the tips through summer. Shade or morning sun gives a far better plant.

Does it die back in winter?

No, it is evergreen. The older outer leaves look tired by late winter, so pull them off and the spring flush covers the clump again.

What is eating the new leaves?

Almost always snails and slugs, which favour the soft spring growth. An iron based snail bait or a torchlit patrol after rain sorts it out.