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new zealand flax lily

The New Zealand flax lily is a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any Kiwi garden, prized for its strappy foliage, tolerant nature, and striking visual appeal. Often mistaken for the classic flax (Phormium), the true New Zealand flax lily belongs to the Dianella genus, featuring graceful tufts of narrow leaves and delicate blue or white flowers followed by attractive berries. Because of its reliability in a range of conditions, the New Zealand flax lily is a favourite among landscape designers, home gardeners, and anyone seeking an easy-care, evergreen solution that works well in borders, mass plantings, or pots.

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

Dianella 'Little Jess'

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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-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 undertone. Flower stems rise above the foliage through spring to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers which result in blue berries. It grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. Dianella Goddess 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.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 70 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, 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...

From$20.18
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the...

From$20.93
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Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy...

From$20.93
phormium-velvet-underground-1

Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.93
A large Phormium 'Evening Glow' plant in a garden.

Phormium 'Evening Glow'

Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword-like leaves that are coloured various shades of pink and red with a...

From$20.93
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...

From$16.13
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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...

From$16.13

Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

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A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.

Phormium 'Jester'

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

From$24.23
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Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium Pink Panther produces long, sword like leaves that are candy pink with red-bronze margins. This Flax typically grows to 1.2 m tall and the...

From$20.93
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$18.23
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Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.18
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Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium Pepe is a smaller variety of Flax that produces narrow and sword-like, bright green leaves. It typically grows to just 45 cm tall and the...

From$20.93
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$16.13
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

From$18.23
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...

From$16.13
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$18.23
phormium-chocomint--2

Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

From$24.23
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.

Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

From$18.23
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$16.13
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.

Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$14.78
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.

Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$15.53
Alstroemeria 'Inticancha Sunstar' plant in a pot with pink flowers.

Alstroemeria Inticancha Sunstar (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria Inticancha Sunstar is a compact perennial that dazzles with fiery orange blooms featuring yellow centres and subtle dark markings...

From$44.48
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Pieris Pink Delight (Lily Of The Valley Shrub Pieris japonica)

Pieris Pink Delight is an attractive shrub grown for both its foliage and flowers. This compact, rounded shrub produces pink buds that open into...

From$81.13
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Alstroemeria Inca Ice (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria Inca Ice is a compact and elegant perennial featuring soft blush-pink flowers with creamy yellow centres and subtle speckling. It...

From$44.48
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Alstroemeria Inca Rio (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria Inca Rio is a vibrant, compact perennial that bursts with brilliant orange and golden-yellow blooms from spring through to late autumn...

From$44.48
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Alstroemeria Summer Holiday (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria Summer Holiday is a stunning compact perennial featuring vibrant coral-pink blooms with golden centres. Flowering continuously from...

From$44.48
Alstroemeria Pink Star plant in full flower.

Alstroemeria Pink Star (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria Pink Star is a compact, showy perennial that bursts into bloom with striking two-tone flowers—white petals brushed with vibrant pink...

From$41.78
Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' plants with lush green foliage and stunning blue flowers.

Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' (Lily Of The Nile)

Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' is a compact evergreen perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit and masses of soft blue flowers held just above the...

From$18.90
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.

Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.48
Dianella 'Little Jess'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agapanthus, Alstroemeria, Arthropodium, Dianella, Dietes Phormium and Pieris, or related Categories - Flaxes Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search new zealand flax lily

What is the New Zealand Flax Lily?

The plant commonly called New Zealand flax lily typically refers to species and cultivars within the Dianella genus. These robust perennials thrive in coastal areas as well as inland gardens across New Zealand, demanding little more than well-drained soil and occasional watering once established. Some of the most popular varieties include Dianella Goddess, known for its lush, arching foliage and small, starry flowers, and compact forms like Dianella 'Little Jess' and Dianella 'Little Rev', both ideal for edging, rockeries, and small spaces.

Benefits and Uses in the Garden

Incorporating a New Zealand flax lily into your landscaping scheme brings year-round texture and soft movement to your garden beds. These tough, adaptable plants are remarkably resistant to drought, wind, and frost, making them a reliable choice in both urban and rural settings. Use them as an underplanting beneath trees, in mixed perennial beds, or mass planted for a striking ground cover. Their blue or violet berries add a touch of colour in autumn, and the foliage can range from blue-green to deep green depending on the variety.

For those looking to combine different leaf forms and colours, New Zealand flax lilies beautifully complement larger flaxes such as Phormium tenax or variegated options like Phormium 'Stripy Mist', creating a lush, layered effect in your garden.

Care Tips for New Zealand Flax Lily

One of the main reasons Kiwi gardeners love the New Zealand flax lily is its easy-care nature. Plant in free-draining soil and water regularly until established. After that, these plants cope well with dry periods and require only occasional trimming to remove spent flower stems or tidy old leaves. They grow well in full sun to part shade, and their resilience makes them an excellent choice for both formal and naturalistic planting styles.

If you’re searching for a stylish, hardy, and low-fuss perennial, look no further than the New Zealand flax lily or check out selection of varieties like Dianella Goddess, Dianella 'Little Jess', and Dianella 'Little Rev'. Pair with classic flaxes for maximum impact in your outdoor space.


Whether you’re refreshing a border, designing a modern courtyard or seeking fuss-free ground covers, the New Zealand flax lily offers the style, strength, and adaptability every New Zealand gardener needs.


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There’s more to explore beyond Ficus Tuffi and Photinia 'Red Robin' — like the subtle beauty of Carex solandri, Acer Stella Rossa, and Camellia 'Buttons and Bows'.
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