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Black-anther Flax-lily

 

A clumping, strappy leaved perennial with grass like foliage and fine sprays of blue flowers. This is widespread plant of Dry Forest understory and now a common sight in the urban garden. Looks beautiful when planted in a grassland garden, perennial border or even a cottage garden, with its strong vertical form. Purple berries are a pretty feature in summer.

 

Leaves may die back during dry periods, but it’s a resilient plant, resprouting after drought and fire from its underground rhizome. The blue flowers are pollinated by native stingless bees that release the pollen by tightly clasping and buzzing the tubular anthers. Fruit eating birds such as rosellas will come to feed on the berries in summer. While there are several varieties of Dianella revoluta, only D. revoluta, var. revoluta is found in Victoria and the Mount Alexander region.

 

Scientific name
Dianella revoluta
Family
Asphodelaceae

Characteristics


Lifeform
Lily
Height
0.7
Width
0.6
Growth rate
Slow
Evergreen
Yes
Perennial
Yes

Growing Conditions


Full Sun
Yes
Semishade
Yes
Shade
Cold
-5
Drought tolerance
Waterlogging tolerance
Compaction
Moderately good
Wind
Moderately good
pH
acid

Uses


Ground cover
Screen
Shade
Container
Yes
Hedge
Windbreak
Grassy Woodland
Yes
Perennial border
Yes
Climber
Native lawn
Shrub Mass
Wetland

Biodiversity


Insect pollinator feeding
Yes
Caterpillar feeding
Bird feeding
Yes
Bird refuge
Lizard feeding
Yes
Lizard refuge
Yes
Frog refuge
Yes
Mammal feeding
Pollinators
Native Bee
Larvae
Birds
Fruit omnivores
Mammals

Flowering


Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Yes
Sep
Yes
Oct
Yes
Nov
Yes
Dec
Yes