Family: Phormiaceae
Common Name: Flax Lily

These long-lived perennials are found in Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, tropical Asia and East Africa. They are clump-forming, rhizomatous plants, with tufts of long, fibrous, strap-like leaves on thick stalks. Dianellas have a long flowering period, begin­ning in spring and followed by blue berries. They add texture to mixed borders and are also suitable for rockeries or as edging plants.

Species

D. caerulea, from eastern Australia and New Guinea, grows to 1 m (3 ft), with small, blue flowers, then blue berries.

D. ensifolia, umbrella dracaena, is a tropical species to 2 m (6 ft). It has whitish to blue flowers with yellow anthers.

D. intermedia, a native of New Zealand, has a creeping rhizome and small, greenish white to purplish white flowers with yellow anthers. It grows to 1 m (3 ft).

D. laevis, which occurs in most states of Australia, was used by the Aborigines for weaving baskets. It has bright green, strap-like leaves and blue flowers with yellow anthers, followed by blue berries. It grows to 1 m (3 ft).

D. revoluta, a native of New South Wales and Tasmania, grows to 1 m (3 ft), with strap-like leaves, small, deep blue flowers, with yellow or brown anthers, and blue berries.

Cultivation

Propagate from ripe seed or by off-sets struck in light soil in a moist, shady spot in the cooler months of the year. Most species like plenty of moisture when young. Once estab­lished, they are drought- and frost-resistant.

Climate

Zone 9.