Blueberry lily
Dianella revoluta · Asphodelaceae
📷 Sam Genas · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant blueberry lily: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Nodding blue lily
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- June to August, blue to violet flowers
- Adult size
- 60 cm in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Hardy in temperate to mild climates
- Origin
- Australia and New Zealand
- Soil type
- Well-draining, light, tolerates poor soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Dianella revoluta loves moderate moisture and partial shade: plant it under shrubs or trees, away from scorching full sun.
The common mistake
Planting it in full sun in warm regions: leaves turn brownish, flowering suffers, and the plant declines.
The pro's trick
Divide clumps every 3 years in spring: this rejuvenates the plant, produces more vigorous specimens, and prevents the center from getting woody.
Care
Light exposure
Plant your Dianella revoluta in partial shade to get generous flowering. It also tolerates sunny areas, as long as the soil doesn't dry out completely. Avoid overly shaded spots that would reduce flowering.
Watering
Keep the soil moderately moist during the growing season (spring-summer). Gradually reduce watering in autumn and winter. Ensure good drainage to prevent water accumulation, which causes root rot.
Soil preparation
Choose a well-draining, light and aerated substrate. Adding compost or organic matter at planting time promotes root establishment. This species adapts to poor and rocky soils, making it an undemanding plant.
Fertilizing
A balanced fertilizer application once or twice in spring is more than enough. Avoid excess nitrogen which favors foliage at the expense of flowering. An established plant can rely on natural soil minerals.
Pruning and maintenance
Regularly remove dry or damaged leaves to maintain a neat shape. After flowering, you can clean up faded flower stems. The plant doesn't require severe pruning and develops naturally into a compact clump.
Diseases and pests
Dianella revoluta is generally robust. Watch out for excess moisture which can promote root rot or fungal issues. In case of infestation, opt for mild and natural solutions suited to organic gardening.
Did you know?
Dianella revoluta is also called 'Australian flax lily' because of its delicate blue-violet flowers. Its metallic blue berries are highly prized by Australian birds and are a key element of its natural cycle. Introduced to Europe in the 19th century, it has become essential in Mediterranean and coastal gardens for its timeless elegance.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Cerulean flaxlilyDianella caerulea
- Tasmanian flax-lilyDianella tasmanica
- New Zealand flaxPhormium tenax
- Tree aloeAloe arborescens
- Lemon daylilyHemerocallis lilioasphodelus
- King's-spearAsphodeline lutea
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.