Dianella Plants or Flax Lily. Dianella are a widely used strappy leaf plant with landscaping applications and are a great alternative to New Zeland Flax..
With over 15 species such as Dianella revoluta, Dianella caerulea (Paroo lily) and Dianella tasmanica being native to Australia they are widely used in revegetation projects and roadside situations. All species are best described as a flowering tufting grass or strappy leaf plant.
A desirable plant in both major landscaping projects and the home garden, tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, drought and frost resistant, nice foliage, flowers and reportedly edible fruits in the form of berries from some species.
Commonly found in the bushland in eastern Australia, Dianella are becoming increasingly popular as a garden plan where a clump forming plant with a grass-like appearance is required.
Care
Dianella do not like wet feet, and once established are virtually drought tolerant. Dianella caerulea is a great plant, drought tolerant and able to cope with a variety of conditions.
Sometimes referred to as Flax Lilies, some species of can form clumps up to one metre in diameter.
All species are suitable for us as a border plant in rockeries or cottage gardens, even a small hedge.
Varieties, Species and Cultivars
When it comes to Dianella, not all are widely used as garden plants, however all have a similar growth habit in that they grow from underground rhizomes and have strap-like foliage.
Those that are popular in cultivation include the following species and a number of named cultivars.
- D. caerula is commonly called the blue flax lily, or Paroo Lily. Around .5m in height, narrow deep green foliage and growing well in free draining soils in full sun to part shade.
- D. tasmanica – The Tasman Flax Lily is variable in height from around .5 – 1.5m. Strong growing and excellent in part shade to full shade. Large violet to purple berries and very deep blue flowers. Very useful in moist soils.
- D. admixta syn Dianella revoluta var revoluta. This one is known as the Black anther flax lily. Lower growing than many from around 30 – 80 cm. Good deep green foliage, finely serrated and with blue berries. An excellent choice for growing in difficult areas beneath trees as it copes with dry soils and shade.
- D. congesta is the coastal flax lily, broader mid to deep green folaige, reaching around .5 metre in height.
- D. laevis syn. Dianella longifolia var longifoliia – Commonly called the Pale Flax Lily. This species reaches around 1.2 metres in height, pale foliage purple to blue flowers followed by blue fruit. Best groan in full sun to part shade in a well drained soil.
- D. prunina which is found in NSW is a drought tolerant species once established and has nice blue foliage however it can become somewhat leggy.
- D. prunina ‘Utopia’ has a more compact growth habit and is ideal for pots or containers as well as mass planting.
Other species include: D. atraxis, D. brevipedunculata and the relatively newly identified species D. tenuissima.
Dianella Plants are available for sale from the following participating nurseries
146 Dignams Crk Rd via Narooma NSW 2546
Tubestock - [50mm forestry tubes and 70mm supertubes] specializing in Bush Tucker Plants , Natives indigenous to the NSW South Coast , Permaculture Plants - Fruits, Nuts & Berries .
www.southcoastflora.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au