Cherry Red Dianella

Cherry Red Dianella (Dianella tasmanica 'Cherry Red') is a native flax lily grown for the colour in its new growth: fresh leaves push through with deep red and burgundy tones that intensify as the weather cools. It forms a tidy strappy clump about 70cm tall and 60cm across and holds its shape without trimming. Massed at 50cm spacing it gives you a low, textural carpet that stays presentable all year.

Why you'll love it

• Colour without flowers. The red toned new growth is the point, and it is strongest through the cool months when most gardens have the least going on.
• It stays where you put it. A clumping habit, not a runner, so a mass planting keeps its spacing and the edges stay clean for years.
• Almost no maintenance. No mowing, no deadheading, no staking. Comb out the old leaves once a year and that is the job.
• Genuinely tough. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, happy in poor soil and comfortable with coastal salt. Blue flowers are followed by glossy purple berries the birds take.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart in a staggered grid. At that spacing the clumps touch by the second season and read as one continuous sweep rather than separate tufts.

Borders and edging. Run a single line at 50cm along a path or driveway for a soft edge that never needs clipping and holds its height at about 70cm.

Retaining walls and slopes. The fibrous roots bind soil on a batter, and the arching leaves spill over the top course of a wall.

Growing Cherry Red Dianella in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Sun gives the strongest red colouring, shade a lusher green clump. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and established plants take frost. In hot arid gardens give it afternoon shade and more water.

Soil. Undemanding. Sandy, clay and poor soils all work so long as water moves through. Work compost through the bed before a mass planting and mulch 50mm deep between the clumps.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then reduce to occasional deep soaks. A low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring is all it wants, since heavy feeding produces soft green growth at the expense of the red tones.

Pruning. None required. Every year or two, comb the old brown leaves from the base of each clump. A tired planting can be cut back to about 15cm and will reshoot within weeks.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in two sizes: tube stock, and 140mm pots in packs of ten. Tube stock is how most mass plantings are bought, since the cost per square metre is far lower over a large bed. The 140mm packs give you a bigger clump on day one and close the gaps a season sooner.

Strappy plants travel well, though a few outer leaves may be creased or browned on arrival. Trim those off and the plant will not notice. Expect a full clump by the end of the second season. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Designing with ornamental grasses and strappy plants
• Compare grasses and strappy leaf plants
• Plants suited to mass planting
• Browse the Australian native range

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

At 50cm spacing you need four plants per square metre, which gives solid cover within two seasons. Stretch it to 60cm over a large area if you can wait an extra year.

Will the leaves really turn red?

The new growth carries the red and burgundy tones, and the colour is strongest in full sun and in cool weather. A clump in shade, or in the middle of summer, will look mostly green with red tips.

Will it grow under trees?

Yes, provided there is some light. It is one of the better options for dry part shade under established trees, though it will be greener and flower less there than in an open sunny bed.