Dianella
Flax lily
- Height × spread
- 0.6m – 1.2m × 0.3m – 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 30 species of these perennials. They are found in the warmer parts of Australia and New Zealand. They are generally borderline hardy, but a few are found growing outside in gardens in warmer parts of the UK. The foliage is grassy in appearance and they make clumps that can resemble grass. The flowers are held on long stems and form sprays of little, rather starry blooms. These are generally blue and purple though there are white forms. There are even forms that have variegated foliage. The berries that follow the flowers are generally the reason that these plants are grown, they are often borne freely and are coloured in shades of blue, sometimes yellow when unripe. They like sheltered positions with neutral or acidic soil.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Brown
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Blue
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.6m – 1.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.5m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with sequestrol
If plants are acid loving and grown in soil with little acidity, or in a container, or are watered with limey tap water an annual feed with sequestrol (iron chelate) is highly beneficial. Follow guidelines on the packet. Will also 'blue-up' hydrangeas.
For hydrangeas that have good blue flowers in acid soil, this product can be used with alkaline soil to turn the flowers blue. This is most effective when the soil is neutral or just slightkly alkaline.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.