Katie Belles™ Lomandra

Katie Belles Lomandra (Lomandra hystrix 'LHBYF') is the lomandra for the wet spot, and for the dry spot beside it. This large native tussock grows 1.5m to 1.8m high and 1.2m to 1.5m wide, with glossy green arching leaves and masses of highly perfumed flower spikes from September to November, sometimes again in autumn. Bred by Ozbreed for rain gardens and drainage lines, it handles periodic flooding, drought, cold and coastal wind in the one plant.

Why you'll love it

• Wet and dry in one plant. It tolerates periodic inundation and performs in dry conditions once established, so a swale that floods in summer and bakes in spring suits it.
• Perfumed spring flowers. Yellow flower spikes carry a strong sweet scent through spring, and often repeat in autumn.
• Holds the bank together. In a 2007 soil strength study its roots strengthened soil by up to 285 per cent, which is why it anchors creek edges and batters.
• Sun or heavy shade. Few plants of this size grow in heavy shade as well as full sun. It does both.
• Pet friendly and native. Lomandra is safe around cats and dogs, and this one is an Australian native built for Australian weather.

Where it works best

Rain gardens, swales and drainage channels. Plant 80cm apart, one to three plants per square metre, along the line that floods. It copes with days of standing water after rain, not permanent ponding.

Mass planting on wet or dry sites. The same 80cm spacing in offset rows gives a flowing green sweep within two seasons.

Creek banks and slopes. On ground that moves in heavy rain, its root mass is the cheapest erosion control there is. Plant 80cm apart across the slope, or give a single specimen 1.5m all round.

Growing Katie Belles Lomandra in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to heavy shade. It is recommended for Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, so tropical, subtropical, temperate and Mediterranean gardens all suit it. In dry inland regions and much of WA and SA it will want an occasional deep watering in summer.

Soil. Best in moist soils, though it is not fussy about texture. It takes a chunky mulch or one with fines, which most lomandras resent.

Water and feed. Water as required for the first 8 to 13 weeks until established, then let the weather do the work except in long inland droughts. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.

Pruning. None needed year to year. Every three to seven years, cut it back to 30cm above the ground in late winter and it reshoots fresh. It looks best cut every three years.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Katie Belles Lomandra as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for a long drainage line or a large bank and establish quickly in moist soil; the potted packs give height and presence in the first season. Plants travel upright and push new leaves within weeks in warm weather.

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 lomandra care guide
• Browse the full lomandra range
• See every Ozbreed plant we stock
• More plants for retaining walls and slopes

Common questions

How much water can it stand?

Periodic inundation, where water sits over the roots for days after rain and then drains, is fine. Permanent standing water of 5cm or more is not; for a pond edge choose a true aquatic plant.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 80cm apart for a dense mass planting or along a drainage line, up to 1m apart where you want each tussock to show. Allow 1.5m around a specimen.

Is it too big for a small garden?

At 1.5m to 1.8m high it is a large tussock. In a courtyard choose a smaller lomandra; this one earns its place on banks, swales and big beds.