Revelation™ Dianella

Revelation Dianella (Dianella revoluta 'DRG04') is the blue flax lily that came through the wet years when most Dianella revoluta types rotted. It is a medium sized clump, about 50cm tall and 50cm wide, with clean blue green foliage and sprays of small blue flowers in October and November. Bred by Ozbreed for mass planting, it handles periodic wet feet far better than its parent species, spreads slightly to knit a bed together, and once established can live on rain alone.

Why you'll love it

• Best of its type through the wet. Where heavy rain brought disease to most Dianella revoluta plantings, this line performed best, because it tolerates periodic wet feet.
• Cleaner foliage, more flowers. The blue green leaves stay tidier than the common form and the spring flowers are more plentiful.
• Holds the soil. It spreads slightly and roots densely; a breeder's trial measured it strengthening soil by 135 per cent, which is why it is specified for erosion control.
• Rain alone, once established. Drought tolerant enough to live without irrigation in most southern gardens.
• Frost tolerant. Listed for Tasmania and the ACT, so cold winters are not a problem.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 45cm apart, four to six plants per square metre, and the clumps close within two seasons into a blue green sheet that suppresses weeds. Two to three per linear metre lines a border.

Foliage and grassy gardens. The upright blue green leaf gives a cool contrast beside lomandra and the tan plumes of native grasses, in commercial and home gardens.

Slopes, flat beds and low spots. It is listed for raised, flat and depressed areas: batters, ordinary beds and the low corner that holds water after rain.

Growing Revelation Dianella in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens across New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. In Queensland it is for the non humid inland only, such as Toowoomba, on free draining soil; humid coastal Queensland and the tropics are not for it.

Soil. Sand, sandy loam or clay. Avoid very poor soils, where it sulks. Set the crown at soil level, never below the soil or the mulch.

Water and feed. Water as needed for the first 8 to 13 weeks, then only in long dry spells. Chunky mulch, and a slow release fertiliser in spring if growth is slow.

Pruning. None year to year. Every three to five years cut the whole clump back to about 15cm above the ground; a cut every three years keeps it looking its best. Blue berries follow the flowers and are taken by birds.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Revelation Dianella in 140mm pots in packs of 10, the right unit for a massed bed or a border. Each pot holds a rooted clump with several fans of leaves, and dianellas travel well; a creased leaf on arrival is cosmetic. Expect new fans from the base within a month in the warmer half of the year, 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

• Browse the full dianella range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More plants for mass planting
• Our dianella care guide

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 45cm apart and it closes in about two seasons. At 40cm it closes faster; at 50cm each clump reads on its own for a year longer.

Will it grow in humid coastal Queensland?

Not reliably. In Queensland it is recommended only for non humid regions like Toowoomba on free draining soil. In humid coastal gardens choose a different dianella.

Does it handle wet soil?

Better than other Dianella revoluta types: it tolerates periodic wet feet and was the best performer through recent wet seasons. It is still not a bog plant; a low spot that drains between storms is fine, standing water is not.