Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant or Haran)

Aspidistras are often grown as house plants, and as such they are fantastic. They are still a firm indoor favourite even a century after they first became popular with the Victorians as they could survive in dark spots in cold, dark houses with all the dust and pollution that came with gas lamps and coal fires. Obviously they do better with regular watering and feeding but they are tolerant of a remarkable amount of neglect, hence the common name of the ‘cast iron plant.’  

It can be a bit of a surprise to know that in fact they are tough enough to be grown outside in moist shady spots in fairly mild or city gardens. These are truly lovely plants with clusters of individual leaves bearing flame shaped blades which are a deep green and are held on long stalks up to 60cms in height. The flowers too are beautiful, but so often missed because the stemless cups of crimson velvet petals appear at soil level all amongst the leaf stalks.