Dianella Plants: Caerulea, Tasmanica, Revoluta & Prunina

Dianella Plants

Dianella grass plants or flax lilies are a large family of strappy leaved plants found throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Many varieties are native to Australia and their attractive blue green leaves and deep blue to purple coloured berries make them firm favourites with home gardeners and landscaping professionals alike.

The large number of cultivars offers gardeners a wide range of strikingly colourful variations and their clumping form makes Dianella an ideal choice for mass plantings.

The richly-hued blue flowers with delicate yellow anthers perch like chandeliers on the end of wiry stems and contrast well with the long linear form of the leathery leaves.

Dianella is named after Diana the Greek goddess of hunting and this perhaps reflects something of the rugged beauty expected of Greek goddesses.

Living up to the expectations of society can be difficult for your average god or goddess but the leathery leaved Dianella is one little beauty that really delivers.

Which Dianella Plant Variety Is Best For My Needs?

The motto, ‘right plant, right place’ is firmly embedded in the Ozbreed philosophy.

We strive to source, breed and trial the ideal plants and cultivars for your particular needs. With at least 15 varieties of Dianella, gardeners have plenty of choice.

Dianella, also known as blueberry lily, blue flax lily or black anther flax lily, is native to Australia and many of the garden cultivars stem from four of the native strains: Dianella caerulea, Dianella revoluta, Dianella prunina, and Dianella tasmanica.

What Makes My Dianella Plants Really Happy?

Dianella is a rugged plant that copes well in a wide range of soils from sandy loam to clay. The main requirement for happy dianella plants is adequate drainage.

From time to time clean out old flower stems and dead leaves to increase air flow around the plant and reduce the chances of mould or disease.

Pruning every two to three years will encourage a tidier fuller form. Cutting back helps to prolong the life of the plant as well.

Applying some slow release native plant fertiliser in the spring will help promote flower and foliage growth.

As the plants grow, runners will send up new plants. If you carefully uncover the rhizomes you can separate these colonies to form new plants. It’s a great way to populate your garden with these beautiful plants.

Are The Fruits Edible?

For hundreds of years the fruits of some of the Dianella family, particularly D. caerulea and revoluta species, are said to be edible when ripe. Some experts describe the berries as sweet or even grape-like with a nutty aftertaste and slightly gritty texture. The native birds love them too.

However, it always pays to exercise caution and limit your intake. And even if you never taste one the fruit’s beautiful appearance is an absolute delight and food for the soul. It is known that Dianella tasmanica and Dianella intermedia are known to be toxic and should not be consumed. The berries of Dianella caerulea are still widely perceived as edible, it is important to know you have the right species of Dianella.

What Problems Should I Look Out For?

Dianella is a pretty tough hardy plant that will thrive despite drought, heat, and shade but there are a few issues you should be on the lookout for.

Wet feet

This is a biggie for most dianella varieties. They really need good drainage and in most parts of the country will survive on natural rainfall alone.

If the planned planting area is naturally too damp you might be able to get around it by mounding up the soil and adding some coarser material to increase drainage. 

Gall midge

A new form of Gall midge was recently discovered in Australia. Named, Resseliella xanthorrhoeae Kolesik, the larvae of this midge (like other gall midges) feed voraciously on dianella causing significant foliage damage.

Although an infestation is not usually fatal to the plant the damage is unsightly.

Unfortunately, most pesticides are not very effective in dealing with gall midge larvae infestations. Regular inspections and the immediate removal and destruction of infected plant material is probably the most effective method of control.

Rust

The fungus Uredo dianellae may sometimes appear on Dianella leaves and cause the orange rust spotting that gives this disease its name. Remove infected leaves immediately and dispose of them carefully.

Clearing our mould promoting leaf litter and exposing your plants to more sunlight and air are the most effective long-term remedies.