Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

blue flax lily

Blue flax lily adds striking colour, texture, and versatility to New Zealand gardens. Renowned for its grassy, strappy foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers, this hardy native is perfect for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, adaptable plant. It's an evergreen perennial that thrives in a wide variety of conditions, making it an ideal choice for everything from borders and mass plantings to container displays.

A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.

Dianella 'Little Jess'

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small, blue berries follow the flowers. It grows to 40 cm tall and the same wide in full sun or partial shade. Dianella 'Little Jess' is commonly included in mixed plantings or borders, used in cottage gardens, or mass-planted either on a bank or as a ground cover.

Buy Dianella 'Little Jess'

From $18.83

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 40 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native

Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue undertone. Flower stems rise above the foliage through spring to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers which result in blue berries. It grows to 60 cm tall and 40 cm wide in full sun or partial shade. Dianella Kentlyn is commonly mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in borders or mixed plantings, planted around the base of large trees, grown around water features such as streams and ponds, or included in cottage gardens. This is a popular plant.

Buy Dianella Kentlyn

From $16.13

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Wet

Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern

What Is Blue Flax Lily?

The term "blue flax lily" usually refers to members of the Dianella genus, prized for their year-round beauty and toughness. Their slender, blue-green leaves form dense clumps, while small, starry blue or violet flowers appear above the foliage in spring and summer, followed by vibrant blue or purple berries. Both the flowers and berries add a splash of colour and attract native birds and pollinators into your garden.

How to Grow Blue Flax Lily in New Zealand

One of the key reasons blue flax lily is so popular is its adaptability. It tolerates sun or part shade and thrives in a range of soils, including sandy and clay types. It’s drought-tolerant once established but also copes with wet feet, making it an asset in challenging garden spots such as slopes or rain gardens. Simply plant blue flax lily in well-drained soil, water during long dry spells, and apply mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Its tidy growth habit means little maintenance is required—remove old leaves occasionally to keep your flax lilies looking lush.

Landscape Uses for Blue Flax Lily

Blue flax lily's lush foliage and compact growth make it a top contender for ground cover, mass plantings along paths, edging, or under low trees. Its roots help stabilise soil, so it’s often used for erosion control on banks and slopes. Pair blue flax lily with other tough, drought-tolerant perennials like Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' (Lily Of The Nile) for a dynamic, low-care planting scheme. For a bolder foliage statement, explore companion varieties such as Dianella 'Little Jess', Dianella Kentlyn, Dianella Goddess, and Dianella 'Revelation'.

Blue Flax Lily Varieties

If you love the classic blue flax lily, discover the range of forms and compact varieties bred for New Zealand gardens. Dianella 'Little Jess' is famously compact and tidy, perfect for smaller spaces or formal edges. Dianella Kentlyn offers robust growth and vibrant colour, while Dianella Goddess is celebrated for its abundant flowering. For modern gardens, the striking foliage of Dianella 'Revelation' brings a touch of the extraordinary.

Shop Blue Flax Lily in New Zealand

Bring year-round structure and easy elegance to your outdoor spaces with blue flax lily. Whether you're looking for mass-planting solutions, coastal resilience, or garden highlights, this New Zealand favourite is sure to deliver both style and sustainability. Browse our selection of Dianella varieties to find the perfect blue flax lily for your next garden project.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.