Native Flax Lily

Native Flax Lily 'Petite Marie' (Dianella revoluta 'Petite Marie') is the dwarf form of one of the toughest Australian strappy plants, holding at about 40cm tall and 40cm wide instead of the metre the species can reach. Fine blue green leaves form a dense tuft, and sprays of small blue flowers rise above them in spring, followed by purple berries the birds take. It handles drought, frost, salt and poor soil, which is a rare combination in a plant this neat.

Why you'll love it

• Small enough to plant anywhere. At 40cm each way it edges a path or fills a narrow bed without the flopping that larger flax lilies do.
• It survives the hard positions. Drought tolerant, frost hardy, salt tolerant and untroubled by poor soil, so it works from Perth to the tablelands.
• Blue flowers and purple berries. The spring flower sprays are fine and airy, and the berries that follow bring birds into the garden.
• Almost no maintenance. A tidy up every second or third year is the entire job. It does not need dividing, staking or regular feeding.

Where it works best

Mass planting and groundcover. Plant 40cm apart for a dense, weed suppressing carpet. At that spacing the tufts touch within two seasons and the soil below stays cool.

Borders and path edging. The compact habit gives a clean line along a driveway or garden bed without spilling over paving.

Rockeries and pots. Sharp drainage and reflected heat suit it, so it holds a rockery pocket or a 300mm pot on a hot balcony where softer plants cook.

Growing native flax lily in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It is at home in subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, which covers most of the country, and it is frost hardy enough for tableland and southern winters.

Soil. Almost anything that drains, including sand, gravel and unimproved clay. Loosen the planting hole, mulch 50mm deep and skip the soil improvement most plants need.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer to get roots down, then only in long dry spells. A light application of low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring is plenty, and overfeeding produces soft, floppy leaves.

Pruning. Shear the whole clump back to about 10cm every second or third year in late winter to clear old leaves and spent flower stems. It reshoots quickly from the base.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 140mm pots, sold in packs of ten, which is the practical unit for the mass planting and edging work this plant is bought for. Ten plants cover roughly 1.5 square metres at the recommended 40cm spacing.

Strappy leaves can arrive creased or bent from transit and will straighten as new growth comes through. Expect the tufts to close over within two growing seasons. 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

• Read the dianella care guide for planting, trimming and troubleshooting.
• Compare other grasses and strappy leaf plants.
• See what else suits mass planting at scale.
• Browse coastal and salt tolerant plants for exposed sites.

Common questions

How many do I need per square metre?

At 40cm spacing, about six plants per square metre. A pack of ten covers roughly 1.5 square metres and closes into a continuous cover within two seasons.

Are the berries safe around pets?

The berries are not confirmed safe for cats and dogs, so treat them as one to keep away from a pet that grazes. Discourage chewing and contact your vet if berries are eaten.

Does it need cutting back?

Only every second or third year. Shear the clump to about 10cm in late winter and it refreshes completely, which is easier than picking through old leaves by hand.

Will it grow in shade?

Yes, part shade is fine and the leaves stay a deeper green. Flowering and berry set are lighter than in full sun, so plant it in the open if you want the birds.