Aspidistra vietnamensis 'Amanogawa'
Milky Way Cast Iron Plant
Item #: 6587
Zones: 8b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 18" tall
Origin: Japan
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
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Aspidistra 'Amanogawa' is the real Milky Way cast iron plant... not the non-striped mutation everyone sells as Aspidistra 'Milky Way'. Aspidistra vietnamensis 'Amanogawa' (translated = Milky Way) makes a tight clump of 18" tall x 2" wide dark green leaves, each heavily spotted with creamy yellow among the longitudinal creamy white and yellow stripes. You'll need a GPS to navigate your way around these contrasting leaf patterns. Occasional sports without stripes should be removed to keep the integrity of the cultivar intact. Aspidistra vietnamensis 'Amanogawa' isn't winter hardy below 15 degrees F, so use this lovely cast iron plant as a container specimen in cold climates.
Maintenance:
Aspidistra are very low maintenance perennials. Each leaf can last up to 3 years, but after the second year, it will begin to show signs of aging and leaf degradation. For that reason, we recommend removing all old foliage regularly to retain the attractiveness of the clump. It's always disappointing to see large patches of cast iron plants in public spaces where it hasn't been properly maintained.
Growing Conditions:
Cast iron plants grow well in both moist and dry soils as long as the drainage is good. Aspidistra must be grown in shade, since their foliage will scorch if they are subjected to sun. In the jungles where they grow, they are often seen in very deep shade.
In containers, they make superb house plants. The common name cast iron plant speaks to their durability in less than ideal conditions. Regular moisture, including increased humidity when they are grown as house plants, keeps them from getting stressed and becoming susceptible to spider mites.
Garden Value:
The bold texture and upright form of cast iron plants is invaluable in the garden, since there few other plants with this form and texture. Many have amazing flowers, produced at the base of the foliage, often in the winter months. While these flowers are rarely noticed in the garden, they can be quite attractive in the home.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Aspidistra
Flower Color: Purple/Lavender
Leaf Color: Green , Variegated , Yellow/Gold
Bloom Time: Winter
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Living Wall
Other: Deer Resistant Plants , Drought Tolerant Plants , Dry Shade Plants , Groundcovers , Medicinal Plants , Plants from Japan , Rain Garden Plants , Salt Tolerant Seaside Plants , Tropical Looking Plants , Xeriscaping Plants , Colored Foliage , Patterned Foliage , House Plants