Dianella revoluta Blue Stream

Dianella revoluta 'Blue Stream' is an ideal perennial for adding a beautiful sculptural touch to a contemporary terrace, or an exotic bed in milder climates. This plant resembles a small phormium and forms a very beautiful bluish tuft, adorned in early summer with graceful small blue flowers with yellow hearts. Not very hardy, but tolerant of salt spray and drought, it will thrive by the seaside. Plant it in acidic and well-drained soil, even occasionally dry, in full sun or even partial shade.

Dianella revoluta Blue Stream is a recent Australian horticultural creation. Its ancestor, Tasmanian lily or flax lily, is a species native to the southern coast of Australia and the island of Tasmania. This plant is found in clearings and open woodlands on soft, moist, and acidic, often sandy, soils. Dianellas have often been moved to different botanical families, depending on scientific research. Currently, they are considered part of the Asphodelaceae family, just like phormiums, aloes, steppe lilies (Eremurus), and of course, asphodels. The plant forms a clump of sword-shaped, stiff, and pointed leaves. Between June and August, the plant produces slender, branching flower stalks carrying numerous small, pendulous bell-shaped, blue-violet flowers with golden stamens. In favourable climates this is followed by small round, decorative and long-lasting, bright purple fruits. The clumps spread slowly but surely through short rhizomes that increase their diameter over the years. The soil should be well-drained to prevent rotting of the dense and shallow roots. Once established, the plants tolerate summer drought well.

The 'Blue Stream' variety is characterized by large green leaves with light blue highlights. It will reach about 70 cm (28in) high and 50 cm (20in) wide.

'Blue Stream' Dianella will have a great impact if you plant several specimens in a contemporary bed alongside its cousins, the phormiums - among others 'Evening Glow' or 'Purpureum'. It is also very interesting as a solitary plant, or in a large pot, on a terrace with dark slabs. It can also be planted in a slightly shaded rockery or even in a very light understory where it will appreciate the humus.