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Variegated flax lily — Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' Variegated flax lily — Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' Variegated flax lily — Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Description

The Variegated flax lily has become the most popular choice of Tasmania flax lilies. It is a robust plant with a clumping habit in size to 2 ft. tall and stiff pale green sword-like leaves with bold white striping. Delicate inflorescences of tiny white and yellow flowers occur in spring and are often unnoticed.

The Variegated flax lily draws from its parentage in South Australia and Tasmania; it grows best in understory conditions of light shade, organic soils and with regular moisture. Its bold shape and striking variegated leaves make is suitable for use in containers, parkways, mass plantings and for year around foliage color.

Water Needs

The Variegated flax lily grows well in shade to partially sunny locations on many types of soils and with regular summer water. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water; summer water helps sustain its foliage character particularly when planted in sunny exposures.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Moderate Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 4

  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
Runs per Month 0x to 3x 0x to 3x 0x to 3x 2x to 3x 2x to 3x 3x to 4x 3x to 4x 3x to 4x 2x to 3x 2x to 3x 0x to 3x 0x to 3x
Inches per Run 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1"
 
Inches per Month 0" to 3" 0" to 3" 0" to 3" 2" to 3" 2" to 3" 3" to 4" 3" to 4" 3" to 4" 2" to 3" 2" to 3" 0" to 3" 0" to 3"

Range of supplemental summer water: 17"-24"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

 
0"-3"
0"-3"
0"-3"
2"-3"
2"-3"
3"-4"
3"-4"
3"-4"
2"-3"
2"-3"
0"-3"
0"-3"
  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, follow this link.

For information how to calculate your irrigation system’s schedule and precipitation rate, please follow this link.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Perennial
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Upright, Clumping
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 2 ft.
Width: 2 ft.
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Foliage Color: Pale green
Flower Color: Purple
Flower Season: Spring
Soil Adaptations: Moist soil, Loam, Clay
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Moderate shade, Heat, Drought, All day sun, Partial sun
Function: Foundations, Container plant, Borders, Background plant

Maintenance

Divide or thin as necessary. Remove dead leaves to the base as they occur (D). Annually, between fall and spring, remove any older and more worn looking leaves at the base of the plant. Every two to three years, cut back to about two inches above the soil surface, also in fall to spring to encourage vigorous and refreshed new growth (10). Remove dead flower stalks in late summer (18).

References

Associations

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