Fine Divine™ Dietes

Fine Divine Dietes (Dietes bicolor 'DI2') is a finer, more compact form of one of the toughest landscape plants in Australia. It grows to 60cm to 70cm high and wide, with narrow upright leaves and pale yellow flowers from spring into summer, and because it produces far less pollen it rarely, if ever, sets seed. Bred by Ozbreed for mass plantings that get no attention, it goes six to eight years between prunes.

Why you'll love it

• Rarely seeds. Ordinary Dietes bicolor spreads from seed, which is the only reason it fell out of favour; this form barely sets any, so it stays where it is planted.
• Finer and more ornamental. Narrower leaves give a softer, grassier texture than the common form, so a massed sweep looks designed rather than agricultural.
• Compact enough for small gardens. At 60cm to 70cm it fits a courtyard border as well as a commercial car park.
• Tough across the country. Drought, humidity and frost tolerant, so it works from south east Queensland to Perth and the southern states.
• Almost no maintenance. A cut back every six to eight years, if at all.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 45cm apart, four to six plants per square metre, for a dense weed suppressing sweep in commercial and residential landscapes.

Borders and edging. A single row at 40cm, two to three plants per linear metre, holds a crisp line along paths and driveways.

Small gardens and courtyards. A trio in a tight bed gives the strappy structure and spring flowers without the bulk of the common form.

Growing Fine Divine Dietes in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade, with the most flower in sun. It is reliable in subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and dry inland climates: south Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Soil. It tolerates most soil types, from sand to clay, as long as the ground is not a permanent bog.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then it manages on rainfall. Mulch with a chunky mulch. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.

Pruning. Cut the clump back every six to eight years, in late winter, to renew it. Spent flower stems can be removed at any time, though with so little seed there is less reason to bother.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Fine Divine Dietes in 140mm pots in packs of 10, which plants about two square metres at the recommended spacing. Dietes has a tough rhizome and fibrous roots, so it travels well and establishes without fuss in any season outside hard frost. Expect new leaves within a few weeks and flowers the following spring.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Our dietes care guide
• Browse our grasses and strappy leaf plants
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More plants for mass planting

Common questions

Will it spread like the old dietes?

No. Lower pollen production means it rarely, if ever, sets seed, which is the whole reason it was bred. Plant it where the common form would have been a problem.

Is it frost hardy?

Yes. Ozbreed lists it as frost tolerant, and it is grown in the ACT and across Victoria.

How often does it need cutting back?

Every six to eight years, if at all. Between cuts it needs nothing beyond the odd spent flower stem removed.