• Image of Asparagus africanus|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Asparagus africanus

African Asparagus Fern

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 8128

Zones: 7b to 9b, at least

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 48" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: South Africa

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


We have grown this splendid South African native asparagus fern in the garden since 2000 and would have shared it by now if it wasn't for the paucity of seed production. The thin upright stalks of Asparagus africanus emerge as a 1' wide clump, producing very stiff dark green "fronds" that fill a 4' tall x 4' wide space. The stems are so durable that the plant acts like a punching bag that bounces back to an upright position if the plant is punched, kicked, or hit with an errant small vehicle (all of which are illegal in states with asparagus hate crime statutes). Asparagus africanus makes a superb textural contrast against bold foliage plants.