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dianella longifolia

Dianella longifolia, commonly known as the Pale Flax Lily, is a superb choice for New Zealand gardens seeking low-maintenance structure, graceful movement, and long-lasting appeal. Whether you’re an avid gardener designing a native planting scheme or a landscaping professional after robust mass-planting options, Dianella longifolia stands out for its slender, strappy foliage and delicate flowering stems. This Australian native adapts beautifully to New Zealand conditions, thriving in coastal gardens, urban landscapes, and revegetation projects alike.

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

Dianella 'Little Jess'

5 from 2 customers

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.

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 Revelation plants growing in a garden.

Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which result in blue berries. This NZ Flax Lily features narrow, grass-like foliage that is dark green and held densely, growing to 60 cm tall and the same width. Dianella 'Revelation' 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 featured in cottage gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.

Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' is a compact, clump-forming evergreen known for its striking blue-grey foliage and architectural form. This Blue Flax-Lily...

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Dianella revoluta 'Blue Twist' plant.

Dianella Blue Twist

Dianella Blue Twist bears spikes that may reach 1 m in length carrying delicate, light blue flowers. These are held above the blue-green, strap-like...

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Dianella caerulea 'Breeze' growing in a roadside garden.

Dianella 'Breeze'

Dianella 'Breeze' (Turutu) is a hardy and attractive perennial that brings lush, strappy green foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers to New...

From$16.13
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$18.83
dianella-blaze-

Dianella Blaze

Dianella Blaze features broad and gently arching, bronze-purple leaves that are very showy. It typically grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide...

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dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2

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...

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Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.

Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$20.18
dianella-caerulea-goddess-

Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$20.18
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$16.13
Dianella 'Little Jess'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dianella and Lomandra, or related Categories - Flaxes and Grasses.

Search dianella longifolia

Key Characteristics of Dianella longifolia

Dianella longifolia is prized for its upright habit, featuring narrow green leaves that bring architectural interest and soft texture to any planting palette. At maturity, it typically reaches 60–100 cm in height, making it ideal for borders, mass plantings, or lining driveways and pathways. Throughout spring and summer, Dianella longifolia produces dainty panicles of pale blue to white flowers, which are soon followed by attractive, shiny blue berries. These berries add seasonal colour and can provide food for native birds.

Growing and Care Tips

This resilient flax lily is well suited to New Zealand’s diverse regions, showing strong tolerance for wind, coastal exposure, and both sun and partial shade. Dianella longifolia prefers free-draining soils and can handle periods of dryness once established, making it a reliable performer even in more challenging sites. Minimal maintenance is required—simply trim back old foliage annually to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage fresh growth. If you’re considering waterwise planting or wish to complement other hardy native grasses, Dianella longifolia should be at the top of your list.

Design Uses for Dianella longifolia

Versatility is another reason Dianella longifolia is popular among New Zealand gardeners and landscape architects. Use it to create lush underplantings beneath taller shrubs and trees, mass it for a modern edge, or pair it with contrasting textures like Lomandra for dynamic garden displays. Its strong form and subtle flowering make it equally at home in cottage gardens, commercial landscapes, and eco-sourced rehabilitation projects.

If you’re interested in experimenting with related varieties, we recommend exploring Dianella Blutopia, which offers vivid blue foliage highlights, or the compact Dianella Little Devil for smaller spaces. For wider leaf structure, Dianella intermedia provides a lush display, while the robust Dianella Streetscape is ideal for high-traffic urban plantings.

Complementary Plant Choices

Dianella longifolia integrates seamlessly with other native grasses and strappy plants. For a layered effect, pair it with Lomandra Dalliance, an ornamental grass known for its soft, fountain-like form and year-round green. This combination delivers long-term structure, movement, and habitat value, creating gardens that are both beautiful and ecologically supportive.

Incorporate Dianella longifolia into your planting palette for effortless style, resilience, and an authentic New Zealand landscape feel. For more information, expert planting advice, and quality plants, explore our curated range of Dianella and Lomandra species.


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Sure, Azalea Pink Ice and Lomandra 'Tanika' are crowd-pleasers, but Hydrangea Nightingale, Pyrus 'Aristocrat', and Carpodetus serratus are quietly making a name for themselves.
–The Plant Company

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