Dianella tasmanica 'Yellow Stripe' (Yellow Flax lily) - This slowly-spreading plant is a yellow variegated form of the Tasman Flax Lily. It grows to 1 to 2 feet tall with long arching showy yellow striped leaves with the added benefit of small violet blue flowers in mid spring and attractive dark blue berries.
Plant in a well-drained soil. Best in light shade or part sun but will take full coastal sun with regular irrigation. It is hardy to about 25 degrees F.
Dianella tasmanica was first collected in Tasmania in 1837 where it generally grows in moist wooded forests but it is also found along the coast of New South Wales. It was described by the English botanist Joseph Hooker in 1858. The genus is named after Diana, the Roman goddess, of hunting and Queen of the woods and the specific epithet references the first collection of this plant in Tasmania. This plant also has the common name Flax Lily and Blue Berry Flax Lily. These common names come from the durable leaves that can be woven for basketry and other purposes.
We first received the cultivar 'Yellow Stripe' from Duncan and Davies Nursery in New Zealand and while it has great color when it looks good, it was not as strong a grower as the green or the white variegated Dianella tasmanica cultivars. We listed it on and off from 1998 until 2015 when we finally decided it not strong enough to recommend planting in California gardens.
The information about Dianella tasmanica 'Yellow Stripe' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |