Dianella
( dye - an - NELL - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Flax Lily, these perennial flowering plants need full sun in cooler climates and regular water. Their foliage is grass-like, and they have small blue flowers followed by shiny berries. These clump-forming plants are native to Africa, southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia. Plants grow from underground rhizomes, and can have fleshy or fibrous roots. Take care when you are planting these flowers in your garden, as they are potentially toxic to humans and pets.
|
Dianella Species and Varietals
The genus Dianella includes around forty distinct species and is a member of the plant family Asphodelaceae. Dianella grows best in zones 8, 9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Dianella brevicaulis (Coast Flax-Lily) This species has fibrous roots and produces purple flowers that bloom in summer. Leaves are green and form a tussock that reaches about a foot and a half tall at maturity. These plants prefer to grow in sandy soils in coastal and subcoastal locations, and are native to southern Australia. |
Dianella caerulea (Blue Flax Lily) This species is native to east Australia, and forms a mat of foliage 1-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide of shiny medium green leaves. Flowers can be either light or dark blue and have yellow stamen. They are followed by purple berries . Varieties include 'Casitas Springs' (with grey-green foliage) and 'Cassa Blue' (a compact grower to to 18 inches tall with soft, blue foliage). |
Dianella longifolia (Blueberry Lily, Pale Flax Lily, Smooth Flax Lily, Blue Flax-Lily) This species, native to Australia, produces a tussock up to 5 feet tall. Flowers are purple, blue, or whitish green in color, and foliage is green. Flowers bloom during the spring and summer months, followed by pale blue berries. |
Dianella revoluta (Black Anther Flax Lily, Blueberry Lily, Blue Flax-Lily) This species, native to Tasmania and Australia produces tight clumps of foliage that spread via rhizomes. There are two common varieties: 'Baby Blue' (with green leave to 12-18 inches tall and pale purple blooms/green berries) and 'Little Rev' (to 2-3 feet tall, with yellow-green leaves - with blue-green undersides; though it rarely blooms). |
Dianella sandwicensis ('Uki'uki) This species of Flax Lily is native to Hawai'i and New Caledonia. The berries from these plants have been used to create dyes for clothing and other textiles, and leaves were uses historically to thatch house walls. Leaves are green and strappy, a bit wider than those of many other species in this genus. Plants reach about a foot and a half tall at maturity, and have a spread of around 3 to 5 feet. Flowers are white to light blue and are followed by striking purple-blue shiny berries. |
Dianella tasmanica This native of southeast Australia and Tasmania grows to 3-4 feet tall and spreads by rhizomes with age. Summer flowers are blue and are held in loose clusters and are followed by large blue berries. Varietals include 'Variegata' (with striped white leaves, pictured), 'Yellow Stripe' (with striped yellow leaves), and 'Tasred' (with green leaves that are red at the base). |
Caring for Dianella
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
|
Propagating camellias
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 285, Dianella
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!