| Botanic name | Dianella revoluta |
| Other names | Blueberry lily, blue flax-lily, black-anther flax lily |
| Main Origin | Southern Australia |
| Mature size | 0.3 – 1 m x 0.5 – 1.5 m (w x h) |
| Mature form | Dense, upright, tufted, spreading clump |
| Foliage | Long, narrow, strap-like, mid to blue-green with slight curl |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Position | Full sun, part shade |
| Soil | Adapts to most soils |
| Water | Occasional deep watering during extended dry periods |
| Climate | Arid, semi-arid, Mediterranean, temperate, subtropical |
| Flower | Small, starry, blue to violet flowers & blue or purple berries |
| Use | Groundcovers, borders, pots, slopes |
| Notes | Suitable for coastal sites |
IN THIS ARTICLE
Overview
With a quiet confidence, Dianella revoluta has become incredibly valuable in Australian garden design. Rather than competing for attention, it supports and strengthens the planting scheme, adding clarity and structure through its fine, strappy foliage.
Its unparalleled hardiness and adaptability are what distinguish it. This species tolerates poor soils, dry conditions, heat exposure, and neglect better than many other flax lilies, making it reliable across a wide range of Australian climates and landscapes.
In modern Australian landscapes where restraint, longevity and sustainability are increasingly valued, Dianella revoluta becomes a flexible building block. It provides a stable visual anchor, supports diversity, and allows other ornamentals to shine.
Origin and distribution
Dianella revoluta boasts a broad distribution, primarily in southern Australia. It inhabits a wide range of environments from dry, open forests and woodlands to mallee communities and grasslands, as well as coastal areas, showing a high degree of adaptability.
The plant is extensively cultivated in Australia for its superior hardiness, drought tolerance, and year-round architectural form, making it a staple for mass planting, commercial projects, and residential waterwise gardens.
Globally, it is highly valued in regions with dry or temperate climates, as a reliable, low-maintenance, grass-like alternative, often marketed under Australian cultivar names.
Growth and care
Dianella revoluta is native to a broad spectrum of climates across Australia, primarily spanning subtropical, temperate, Mediterranean, semi-arid, and some arid regions. This highly adaptable species is found in areas with annual rainfall varying from high coastal levels down to minimal in drier inland areas.
The species thrives in diverse conditions, tolerating both hot, dry environments and moderate frosts, as well as salt-laden coastal air. However, it is largely absent from the wet tropical north and hyper-arid central desert interiors.
The highly adaptable plant grows in a wide range of soil types across Australia, including sandy soils, loams, and clays. While it can thrive in poor soils, the plant performs best in well-drained soils with some fertility, without being overly nutrient-rich.
For optimal results, apply mulch around the plant base to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Add compost, organic matter, or slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy growth and vibrant flowers.
The plant requires very little maintenance. Simply remove any dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower stalks periodically. If it begins to look tired or untidy after a few years, rejuvenate it by cutting it back to about 10 – 15 cm above the ground, ideally in late winter or early spring.
Features
Dianella revoluta is a dense, tufting plant prized in landscaping for its neat shape and effortless structure. It often appears sharp yet elegant with a notably refined texture in the garden.
The fantastic form of Dianella revoluta is attributable to its tough, strap-like leaves, typically mid- or grey-green with their edges noticeably rolled downwards (hence the species name), creating a stiffer, more defined blade shape, compared to other flat-leaved Dianella species.
This blade shape translates to a crisp, architectural, upright form, making it highly suitable for contemporary designs, where the focus is on clean lines.
When used in mass plantings, the natural uniformity of each plant creates a strong sense of rhythm and visual harmony, resulting in a cohesive yet naturalistic effect.
Beyond its foliage, the plant produces delicate, loose sprays of small, starry, blue to violet flowers on long, erect stems, from spring to summer.
A defining feature of Dianella revoluta is its stamens, which are topped with dark, brownish-purple anthers (hence its common name ‘Black-anther Flax-lily’). In contrast, other Dianella species, such as Dianella tasmanica and Dianella caerulea, often have yellow or orange-yellow anthers.
Following the blooms, blue or violet berries emerge, adding late-season interest and serving as a food source for native birds.
The broad natural distribution of Dianella revoluta stands as proof of its remarkable tolerance to drought, heat, and diverse soil conditions. This resilience makes it one of the most dependable, low-maintenance choices for mass planting across a wide range of urban landscapes.
Cultivars
- Little Rev: A popular, dwarf, compact variety with upright blue-grey foliage and great architectural form, maturing 30 – 40 cm in height and width.
- Revelation: Cleaner, blue-green foliage with better wet tolerance than other cultivars, growing to 50 cm tall and wide.
- Blue Steam: Highly compact and upright with stiff, striking blue-green leaves, 70 cm tall and 50 cm wide.
- Baby Bliss: An ultra-dwarf cultivar, with highly distinctive blue-grey foliage, 25 – 30 cm tall and wide.
- Coolvista (syn. ‘Allyn Citation’): Distinctive, clear blue-green, upright, and fine grass-like foliage, very hardy, 40 – 50 cm high and 30 – 40 cm wide.
