Wingarra™ Lomandra

Wingarra Lomandra (Lomandra confertifolia 'SIR5') is a fine leafed blue green tussock that looks like an ornamental grass and almost never needs trimming. It grows to about 400mm high and 600mm wide, and Ozbreed selected it for its large, deep rhizomes, which make it tougher than the other fine leafed lomandras of its type. Small yellow flowers appear among the foliage from September to November.

Why you'll love it

• The grass look without the grass work. Fine, arching blue green leaves give the texture of a soft grass, with a cut back only every three or four years.
• Deep rhizomes. The thick underground stems store water and anchor the plant, which is why it outlasts other fine leafed lomandras on hard sites.
• Humidity, drought and frost. All three are on its list, so it suits coastal New South Wales as well as the cold inland.
• Compact and tidy. At 400mm high it stays in scale in a border or a narrow bed and never flops onto paving.
• An Australian native. Lomandras are eastern Australian natives, and this one brings bush texture to a designed planting.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 45cm apart in offset rows (four to eight a square metre). In cooler climates use the closer spacing of 40cm, or plant the larger pot size, because it is slower to fill out there.

Border planting. In a single row 40cm apart it edges a path or a driveway with a soft blue green line that stays below knee height.

Where you want a grass but not the maintenance. Along driveways, verges and front gardens where ornamental grasses need cutting every year, it gives the same soft texture and skips the job.

Growing Wingarra Lomandra in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed recommends it for New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, and in Queensland only for non humid regions such as Toowoomba, so it suits warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid or semi arid gardens. It tolerates humidity on the New South Wales coast but is not a plant for the subtropical coast north of the border.

Soil. Sandy, sandy loam and clay soils all suit it. Keep the crown at or above the soil and mulch line and use a chunky mulch.

Water and feed. Water as required for the first 8 to 13 weeks. In dry inland regions, Western Australia and South Australia, an occasional deep watering in summer keeps it looking fresh. A slow release fertiliser in spring is optional.

Pruning. Rarely needed. Every three or four years, if the clump looks tired, cut it back to 15cm above the ground in late winter and it reshoots cleanly.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Wingarra Lomandra in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Like all the fine leafed confertifolia lomandras it is a little slower to establish than the common Long Leaf Lomandra, so in cool climates choose the 200mm plants or set the 140mm ones closer. It travels well and settles in over the first season, filling out in the second.

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 lomandra range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• More drought tolerant plants
• Our lomandra care guide

Common questions

Does it need trimming?

Almost never. It looks like a grass but holds its shape for years; a cut back to 15cm every three or four years is the only job.

How far apart should I plant it?

45cm apart in blocks, 40cm in cooler climates or in a single row for a border.

Is it pet friendly?

Yes. Lomandras are not toxic to dogs and cats, and the fine leaves take a bit of traffic.