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California Gardening

Dianella

17 years ago

HD rep recommended Dianella for contrast in area with mostly shade. What types are available and what heights, colors and spreading should I expect? Looking for plant12 to 18" high and violet or blue berrys. Reading about "little red". I think the size is about right but are the berrys red?

Thanks Greg

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Comments (3)

gardenguru1950
17 years ago
I've never heard of Dianella 'Little Red' but there is a selection of Dianella revoluta called 'Little Rev'. It's very similar to the more common D. tasmanica but slightly shorter, with foliage having a bluish cast, and tolerant of drier conditions. It has the same blue flowers and blue berries.

I think when it comes to flower and berry color, all Dianella are pretty much the same. D. tasmanica 'Blushy' has very pale blue, almost white, flowers.

There also are some very nice variegated forms: D. tasmanica 'Variegata' ("marginata') has white margined leaves and D. t. 'Yellow Stripe' has stripes running the length of the leaf.

Joe
wanda
17 years ago
Definitely look for the variegated one! It's outstanding in foliage color and really brightens up a partly shady area.

wanda
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I've grown the yellow stripe and the variegated one. The yellow stripe reverted pretty quickly to all-green. In my garden the variegated one is better. It's a good 3 feet tall, though--not 12-18". The yellow stripe was about 2-2 1/2' tall. Both of them bloomed heavily but never produce berries, although I saw bees in the flowers.

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