Dianella tasmanica Silver Fox® - Tasmanian flax-lily

Dianella tasmanica ‘Silver Fox’ is a particularly decorative variety of variegated flax lily. It is a perennial plant native to Australia, remarkable for its linear evergreen foliage broadly edged with silvery white. It forms a dense, elegant clump, superb in a contemporary or exotic setting. It is quite tender and well adapted to seaside conditions. In cold regions, growing in a pot allows it to be sheltered in winter.

Belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, the species Dianella tasmanica was described in 1858 by J. D. Hooker; the genus name refers to Diana with the diminutive suffix ‑ella, while tasmanica evokes Tasmania. Botanical synonyms include for example, D. archeri or D. densa.
The cultivar ‘Silver Fox®’ is distinguished by its arching, dense, grey-green foliage with a cream margin that is brighter than in the classic Variegata form. The plant reaches 60 to 80 cm in height and can spread up to 60-90 cm depending on conditions and growing method. The evergreen leaves are long and linear, slightly arched. It flowers from May to early July. The flowers appear in paniculate clusters carried on flower stems that can exceed 60 cm in height. Each flower is about 2 cm in diameter. The star-shaped corolla has 6 soft blue-violet petals and yellow anthers. After flowering, the plant produces decorative, shiny, dark violet-blue berries which persist for several weeks. The root system of this plant is dense but not invasive, adapting well to container growing.

Dianella tasmanica is native to the cool, damp understorey of south-eastern Australia, particularly in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales. This species grows naturally in forest ravines, shaded edges and slightly sloping wooded areas, on soils rich in humus, well-drained but moist. It also tolerates seaside conditions. Hardy down to -8/-10°C, the plant may partially lose its foliage but easily regrows in spring.

To showcase it, plant Dianella Silver Fox® in groups in a contemporary garden, on a terrace or near an entrance. Its variegated foliage enhances grasses such as Pennisetum, or the architectural form of small Phormiums for pots. It also associates very well with the dark foliage of Dianella tasmanica ‘Blaze’. To add a floral touch, accompany it with dwarf agapanthus, variegated or not. Among complementary cultivars, consider Dianella tasmanica ‘Variegata’ and D. revoluta ‘Little Rev’.

Traditionally, Aboriginal peoples used the leaves of Dianella tasmanica to make ropes and basketry items. The berries were sometimes used to produce natural pigments for decoration.