Beach Flax-lily
Beach Flax-lily
Dianella congesta
Description
Beach Flax-lily grows to around 1m high, and forms clumps via spreading underground rhizomes. It does not spread very fast but can eventually cover several square metres. The leaves are long and strappy. It has dainty blue flowers that grow together on a flower stalk, generally nestled in among the leaves. The flowering season continues throughout spring and summer. Purple-blue fruits around 1cm across form after flowering.
At a glance
- 0.4m to 1m
- Full sun
- Part shade
- Groundcover
- Larger non-woody plant
- Bird habitat
- Bee/insect habitat
- Garden border
Environmental Preferences
A seaside native, this plant grows naturally in exposed coastal locations, generally on well-drained sandy soils. Its preference is for full sun. It can be seen growing at Bass Point, Windang Island or Hill 60.
Growing Beach Flax-lily
Beach Flax-lily is ideal as a groundcover for seaside gardens, where it can cope with some of the toughest conditions in the region, such as exposure to high winds and salt spray. It is very effective in mass plantings, either on its own or combined with other tough low plants such as Berry Saltbush (Einadia hastata) or Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens) with its contrasting pink flowers. It could be planted underneath trees like Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) or shrubs such as Coast Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus) or Common Boobialla (Myoporum boninense subsp. australe). This plant can be grown in most areas of Illawarra so long as it is planted in well-drained soil and given plenty of sun. It has the advantage of spreading quite slowly compared with other Flax-lily species. This makes it easier to manage than the more widely used Blue Flax-lily (Dianella caerulea).
Propagation
Propagation is from seed, or sections of plant with good roots can be dug up and transplanted. To propagate from seed, squeeze the fresh fruits to release the small black shiny seeds and wash away the pulp.Pour very hot water over the seeds and allow to cool. Dry the seeds and put them into a shaker and sow evenly into a punnet of seed raising mix and cover with seed raising mix. Seeds may take from one to four months to germinate, with erratic results. Seedlings are prone to damping off in humid weather. Wear rubber gloves as the flesh of the fruits will stain your hands.
Edibility
Not edible.
Indigenous Notes
Seeking information.
Habitat Value
A range of birdseat the fruits. The flowers attract native bees, and leafcutter bees eat the leaves.
Uses in bush revegetation
Beach Flax-lily can be useful for re-establishing groundcover in exposed and sandy seaside locations.
Availability
This plant may be available from Wollongong Botanic Garden GreenPlan Nursery. Plants may be available from Jamberoo Native Nursery or from nurseries outside the region; plants from these sources are not recommended for use in bush revegetation activities unless you can establish that they come from local genetic material.