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Lomandra

Lomandras are the strappy natives landscapers reach for first, and this is the full lineup: 18 varieties from ankle high tufts to 1.5m riverbank clumps. Fine leaved forms like Tanika and Lime Tuff hold a neat arching shape for years with almost no attention, while the larger types handle wet feet, steep batters and general neglect. Prices run from about $10 tubestock to 300mm stock. The guide below the grid covers spacing, cutting back and which variety fits which job.

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Which lomandra for which job

For borders, mass planting and pool surrounds, the fine leaved compact forms do the work: Tanika at 50cm to 60cm is the industry standard, Lime Tuff sits slightly tighter with brighter lime foliage, Shara is finer again at about 45cm, and 'Evergreen Baby' is the smallest at 35cm to 40cm. For bolder texture, Nyalla makes a 1m fountain of blue green leaves and handles coastal wind. On wet or heavy ground, the Lomandra hystrix types are the answer: Slender Mat Rush at 1m to 1.5m for creek banks and drainage lines, 'Little Cricket' at about 70cm, and the weeping Tropic Cascade for warm humid gardens. The Lomandra confertifolia forms, 'Little Con', 'Echidna Grass' and 'Frosty Top', are the most shade tolerant of the group.

Where lomandras work

Almost everywhere, which is why councils plant them by the thousand. Most varieties take frost, drought, coastal wind and anything from sand to clay, in full sun or part shade. In humid Queensland and northern New South Wales, lean towards the hystrix types, which shrug off downpours that can thin out longifolia forms. In the dry south and inland, Tanika, Nyalla and Lime Tuff hold their colour on rainfall alone. They belong alongside the rest of our Australian native plants.

Planting, spacing and the one job a year

Mass plant compact forms at 40cm to 50cm centres, roughly five per square metre, and the larger hystrix and Nyalla types at 80cm to 1m. Water weekly through the first summer, then rainfall does the rest for plants in the drought tolerant class. Feeding is optional. Every three or four years, cut the clump back to 15cm in late winter and it rebuilds by summer.

Common questions

Tanika or Lime Tuff?

Tanika is a touch larger and softer, with fine olive green leaves. Lime Tuff is denser and more upright with brighter colour, and tends to look tidier in formal rows. On toughness there is little between them.

Can I cut a scruffy lomandra back hard?

Yes. Shear the whole plant to about 15cm in late winter. It looks brutal for six weeks and then returns better than it was.

Is lomandra safe near pools and paving?

Yes, the roots are fibrous and non invasive. The one caution is leaf tips: straight Lomandra longifolia is firm and pointed, so beside a path choose soft leaved Tanika or Shara.