Rengarenga (rock lily)
Arthropodium cirratum
White starry flowers in dry shade under trees, where little else will even try.
Hardiness: zones 8 to 11
Light: part shade
Size: about 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide
From: Aotearoa New Zealand
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: pollinators, wildlife.
Native to: Aotearoa New Zealand. Hardy in zones 8 to 11.
The story
Rengarenga grows on coastal rocks in the north of Aotearoa and was planted near Māori settlements. It is the plant gardeners reach for when the problem is dry shade under trees.
Planting
Shade or part shade and well-drained soil. Coastal conditions suit it.
Growing
Pull off tired leaves in spring. Divide clumps every few years.
Harvest and use
Sprays of white flowers with purple and yellow stamens in early summer, visited by native bees. A groundcover that looks after itself.
What to watch for
Slugs and snails shred the leaves; go out at night with a torch. Hard frost.
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More native and wild plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home