Dalliance Lomandra

Dalliance Lomandra (Lomandra longifolia 'Dalliance') is a compact, fine leaved selection of the native mat rush, holding a neat clump 60cm tall and 60cm wide rather than the sprawl of the straight species. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, salt tolerant, pet friendly and able to cope with wet feet, it is one of the few strappy natives that suits almost every Australian climate.

Why you'll love it

• It stays where you put it. At 60cm by 60cm the clump keeps its shape for years, so a mass planting still looks deliberate in season five.
• Tolerant of nearly everything. Frost, drought, salt spray, poor soil and periods of wet ground are all handled, which is rare in one plant.
• Pet friendly. Not toxic to cats or dogs, so it is a safe choice for a front garden or a courtyard the dog has the run of.
• Fine textured, not coarse. The narrow leaves give a softer look than standard mat rush, and scented yellow flower spikes appear through spring.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 50cm apart for a continuous cover that reads as one sweep. At that spacing the clumps knit within two seasons and leave no room for weeds.

Borders and edging. A single row along a path or driveway holds a clean line at knee height without regular trimming.

Slopes and retaining walls. The fibrous roots grip batters and embankments, and tolerating drought at the top of a slope and wet at the base is genuinely useful.

Pots and containers. One clump fills a 400mm pot and asks for little beyond occasional water, which suits balconies and rental courtyards.

Growing Dalliance Lomandra in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the tightest, most upright clump, though it takes part shade with a looser habit. It grows in subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid gardens, and being frost hardy it handles cold southern winters without protection.

Soil. Almost anything, including poor and compacted ground. It prefers drainage but tolerates periods of wet, so it works in swales and rain gardens where other strappy plants rot.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. A light controlled release native fertiliser in early spring is plenty; overfeeding produces floppy leaves.

Pruning. Cut the clump back to about 15cm every two or three years in late winter to refresh it. Between times, pull out old brown leaves by hand rather than shearing the tips flat.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in three sizes: tubes, 140mm pots in packs of ten, and 200mm pots in packs of six. Tubes are the economical choice for a large mass planting and usually fill out within a season. The 140mm and 200mm plants arrive as recognisable clumps and give a finished look sooner along a border.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Strappy plants travel well, though some leaf creasing is normal and grows out. Expect new growth within four to six weeks in the warm season, and our 30 day healthy plant guarantee covers every plant.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete lomandra care guide
• Browse the full lomandra range
• Compare other plants for mass planting
• More plants that are safe around pets

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Fifty centimetres apart for a continuous mass planting. For a single edging row you can stretch that to 60cm and still get a solid line within two seasons.

Is it safe for dogs and cats?

Yes. Dalliance Lomandra is pet friendly and not toxic to cats or dogs, which is why it turns up so often in family front gardens.

Does it need cutting back?

Only every two or three years. Take the clump down to about 15cm in late winter and it reshoots quickly. Left alone it simply gets a little untidy at the base.

Will it grow in a wet spot?

Yes. It tolerates wet feet better than most natives, so it suits swales, rain gardens and the low end of a slope, provided the ground is not permanently waterlogged.