May's Flower of the Month
Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’
Just when you think you have a handle on all the new plants, something comes along that you’ve never seen. Such is the case with me. Recently at a garden center I found a plant labeled Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’. Thank goodness it goes by the common name of variegated blueberry flax lily—or simply flax lily.
A bit of research revealed that flax lily comes from the Old World tropics—especially from Tasmania, as the name suggests. It is one of 20-30 species and is named after Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting, and is a member of the Phormiaceae, or New Zealand flax family.
Growth Habit
The variegated form of flax lily that I found at the garden center grows 2-3 feet tall and sports beautiful bold white-striped leaves. Small whitish flowers arise on wirelike stems and are held well above the foliage. If everything goes according to plan, the flowers will be followed by attractive dark blue berries.
If planted in the garden, flax lily needs plenty of room to grow, for it spreads out from the central clump by rhizomes. I was cautioned at the garden center to plant my flax lily in a container to keep it from spreading where it was not wanted. It is, however, an evergreen perennial that keeps its good looks throughout the year.
Culture
Flax lily grows best in light shade and well-drained soil. Although it tolerates some drought, it does best with occasional irrigation. Expect it to be hardy in our area unless the temperature falls below 20°F. Water regularly until well established. Old foliage can be removed before new leaves emerge in spring if needed to keep the planting neat. Clumps can be divided every 2 to 3 years in early spring before new growth begins.
Other kinds
A solid green form of flax lily grows three to four feet tall and has rich blue flowers about half an inch wide followed by deep blue berries in mid summer. A cultivar called ‘Yellow Stripe’ has long, arching grass-like leaves up to 4 feet. Other forms exist but are very difficult to find in the trade.
Use in the garden
The neat grass-like foliage of flax lily is attractive around pools and also gives a dramatic accent in gardens where it contrasts well against other large-leaved, shade-loving shrubs and bronzy-colored plants. Stalks of shiny turquoise blue berries last from fall into winter.
I read sometime ago that container plant groupings need a thriller, a filler, and a spiller. The flax lily seems the perfect choice for the “thriller,” or spiky plant, which gives a combination planter its height. Add a colorful coleus for a filler and solid green ivy as a spiller, and you can keep the planter pretty year round. In winter, replace the coleus with nemesia or another hardy annual.
I chose this combination of plants because I had a container in which the ivy was already well established. It would be equally attractive with ornamental sweet potato or another vine cascading over the side of the container. Almost any annual or perennial that suits your color scheme could be used as the filler to round out the planting and give it more bulk.
At a Glance
Scientific name: Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’
Pronounciation: dy-an-NEL-uh tas-MAN-ee-kuh var-ee-uh-GAY-tuh
Heat zones 8-10
Cold hardiness 8-10
Water: Drought tolerant but best with occasional irrigation
Shade: Partial shade (tolerates full sun if soil is damp)
Salt tolerance: Moderate
Size: 2-3 ft. tall and spreading