Arthropodium ‘Matapouri Bay’

Arthropodium 'Matapouri Bay' (Arthropodium cirratum) is the large leaved renga renga, and it solves the problem almost every garden has: dry shade under established trees. It forms a lush clump of broad, soft green strappy leaves about 60cm high, with airy sprays of small white flowers lifting to around 90cm in spring. Planted 60cm apart it knits into a groundcover that looks planted rather than patched.

Why you'll love it

• It thrives in dry shade. Few plants hold good foliage under a mature tree where roots take the moisture. This one does, and it looks lush doing it.
• Broad, generous foliage. The leaves are wider than most strappy plants, so a mass planting reads as a soft green sweep rather than a spiky one.
• Spring flowers on tall stems. Clouds of small white flowers float above the foliage in spring, lighter than the solid spikes of comparable plants.
• Coastal proof and low fuss. Salt tolerant, drought tolerant once established, humidity tolerant and low maintenance year round.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 60cm apart. The clumps meet within a season or two and shade out weeds, which is what makes it a genuine groundcover rather than a row of separate plants.

Borders and edging. A single line along a shaded path gives a soft edge at knee height, and the foliage stays presentable through winter in most gardens.

Coastal gardens and pots. It handles salt laden wind for exposed coastal blocks, and a clump fills a 400mm pot on a shaded balcony.

Growing Arthropodium 'Matapouri Bay' in Australia

Position and climate. It grows in full sun in cooler and coastal gardens, and it is one of the best plants available for dry shade under trees. Hot inland afternoon sun is the position to avoid, as it bleaches the broad leaves. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate and subtropical gardens, and takes light frost only, so cold districts want a sheltered spot.

Soil. Free draining soil, ideally with compost worked through at planting. It does not want ground that stays wet in winter. Mulch 50mm deep between the clumps.

Water and feed. Water twice weekly through the first summer while the roots go down, then only through long dry spells. A controlled release fertiliser in early spring keeps the leaves broad and green.

Maintenance. Cut the spent flower stems off at the base after flowering, and pull away any tired outer leaves by hand. Divide congested clumps in autumn every few years to keep them vigorous.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of ten, and 200mm pots in packs of six. Tube stock is the value choice for a large area and catches up within a season. The 140mm and 200mm packs suit doing a bed or border edge in one order.

Some leaf creasing or a snapped outer leaf after transit is normal on foliage this broad, and new leaves replace them quickly. Expect clumps to close the gap to their neighbours within a season or two. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare other groundcover plants for the same job.
• Read about the best ground cover plants for shade.
• Browse the wider grasses and strappy leaf range.
• See suitable plants for coastal areas.

Common questions

Will it really grow under a tree?

Yes, dry shade is its best trick. Give it compost at planting and water it through the first summer while it competes with established tree roots, and after that it looks after itself.

Does the foliage burn in full sun?

In cool and coastal gardens it takes full sun without complaint. In hot inland positions the broad leaves scorch in afternoon sun, so give it shade from midday there.

Is it frost hardy?

Light frost only. In cold districts plant it under the canopy of a tree or against a warm wall, where the overhead cover reduces frost damage considerably.