Dianella laevis
| Dianella laevis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Dianella laevis (common name: flax lily)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in luke-warm water and then sow in spring in gentle heat in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 25°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two years. When large enough, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.
Division as the plants come into growth in the spring[2]. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.
Cultivation: Succeeds in ordinary garden soil in sun or dappled shade[3]. Requires a well-drained neutral to acid soil[2]. Requires a sunny sheltered position when grown outdoors in Britain[1].
Plants succeed in heavy shade in Australian gardens[4] but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers that see much less sun than Australia. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[4] but only succeed outdoors in the southern part of the country and even then require a very sheltered well-drained situation[5]. Although not very cold-tolerant, this species can survive in sheltered stable environments in dappled shade, such as a woodland, if temperatures do not drop far below zero for long periods[3].
A polymorphic species[4], some forms are very ornamental[5].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.
Habitat: Sandy soils near creeks on heaths and in sparse woodlands[6].
Usage: A very strong silky fibre is obtained from the leaves[6]. The leaves are also used in making baskets[7].
A blue dye is obtained from the fruit[7].
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: D. longifolia. R.Br.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, Alfred. Focus on Plants Volume 5. Thompson and Morgan, 1991.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.