Dianella revoluta Little Rev

Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' is a sculptural, on-trend Australian perennial plant, related to phormiums but more compact. It forms a very upright tuft of green-grey-blue, remaining evergreen throughout the year, and beautiful miniature lily-like, violet-blue flowers in spring and summer, followed by small berries of the same colour. It is a delightful show in mild climates and will be wonderful in a contemporary, urban, or terrace setting. It is not difficult to grow, but heavy, permanently wet and/or limestone soils should be avoided.  

Dianellas are relatively unknown rhizomatous perennials from the Phormiaceae family, just like their cousins the Phormiums. Originating from the southern hemisphere, they have a cold resistance comparable to that of their cousins. Dianella revoluta is native to sparsely forested areas in a vast zone along the entire south coast of Australia: it is an adaptable and robust species, but it thrives only on non-limestone soil, i.e., peaty, sandy, humiferous, or schistous. Its hardiness is around -7°C (19.4°F) at the coldest when mature, for a short period of time, in very well-drained soil. It is very long-lasting, capable of forming large colonies where it is happy and is adapted to dry summers.

'Little Rev' is a cultivar discovered in 1996 in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australia. It stands out from the wild species with its beautiful bluish colour and compact growth, well-suited for gardens and pots. It forms tufts of foliage from underground rhizomes, not exceeding 40 cm (16in) high, slowly spreading over at least 50 cm (20in) on the ground. The long leaves are tough, linear, glabrous, erect, with rolled edges, soft light green on the upper side but between green, grey, and blue on the lower, more visible side. Stiff flowering stems rise from the foliage to 1m (3ft) above the ground, bearing repeatedly branched panicles from May to July opening in succession over a long period. Each 1.5 to 2 cm (1in) diameter flower, is composed of 6 reflexed violet-coloured petals surrounding 6 golden-yellow stamens. After pollination by insects, small round, blue-violet fruits, 0.5 to 1 cm (1in) in diameter containing 3 to 4 seeds are produced and remain decorative on the plant for a long time.

'Little Rev' Dianella will not disappoint as long as it has mild winter temperatures and an acid growing medium, not too rich and properly drained. Conditions that it will find in the ground along a warm coast. In a contemporary-style garden, it can be planted en masse along a pathway, even in partial shade. In a more exotic setting, it will accompany agapanthus, Anigozanthos, bulbines, Tulbalghia, Carex comans Bronze... It is a beautiful plant to adorn the terrace or balcony, in pretty modern containers that can be placed in strategic locations.