skip to main content

Australian Native Plants

Australian Grass Tree

14 years ago

I have been growing what I think is Xanthorrhoea glauca for some years here in New Zealand. some think it might be subspecies angustifolia, I am not sure how to tell the difference. They grow very well here and will flower in under 10 years. I have had 5 yr old specimens flowering in the planter bag. Consequently we have lots of seed an we find it germinates very easily. I really enjoy seeing the grass trees in their native habitat when I go to Australia. Is there anyone else out there who grows these?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

pos02
12 years ago
I have a couple of Xanthorrhoea in the garden grown from seed. I think the oldest is about 6 years old, so not flowers yet. They are great looking plants, but I don't expect to see them grow the distinctive trunk. Nevertheless, I think they add a great dimension to any garden with their whispy growth when young. Hopefully I'll see them flower soon!
funnelweb
12 years ago
I currently have 3 grown from seed that I've had in for about 10 years. They took a few years to flower but once they did they developed multiple heads and while they still look ok, they aren't as attractive as when they had just a single head. Flower/seed spikes go up each year and are very bird attractive, when the spike falls or you cut it down, if you leave it on the ground to rot down seedlings spring up. The thing with grass trees is they like a fire through them every few years or if you can't provide that a good cut back will benefit - you may have noticed that after a bush-fire grass trees are the first plants to regenerate. I've managed to transplant them ok by restricting root disturbance as much as possible, however, they generally don't like being disturbed and can take up to 2 years to die as a result.
Related Discussions
xanthorrhoea (Austrailian Grass Tree)
Q
Comments (2)
Try Australian Outback Plantation. If it is from Australia and grows here, they will have it. THey are way out in Tonopah but I know they regularly sell at the DBG plant sale (one coming up 10-13 through 15.) Here is a link that might be useful: Outback Plantation
...See More
Redwood Trees & Australian Tree Ferns
Q
Comments (2)
Redwood sorral, ferns, hellabore, My redwood drops a lot of leaves, but the hellabore does well.
...See More
australian grass trees
Q
Comments (3)
You have quite a predicament here. Grass trees hate root disturbance to the point that they keel over and die. There has being may a post here on these beautiful boys but really nothing really works well some people have cut the leaves back to half there original length spray with seasol dig around the tree by about 3ft and 3ft down place a hessian under the root ball and lug it to a pre-dug hole back fill as normal then water in and apply more seasol once a week for a couple of months or until new growth appears (now I havent tried this so this is all just theory but try looking through the historical posts and they might have the answer but in the words of the great one "MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU"
...See More
Australian Finger Lime Tree - very extreme yellowing
Q
Comments (5)
The soil just under the base of the tree may be damp, but I'm betting the rest of the soil in that pot is bone dry. That tree looks like it's dying of lack of water. If I were you I'd take it out of the pot and examine the soil. Sometimes potting mix can seem wet on the surface but have large dry pockets down deeper. If it's a peat based mix, and most store bought are, if it gets too dry one time, it's almost impossible to re-wet from just watering from the top. It would need to be submerged in a larger pot that does not drain, and really let it soak for 24 hours. Then remove and water normally. Imo, 2 weeks without watering is way too long.
...See More
lippies
12 years ago
yep you will see a lot of these grass trees growing in the wild and in the suburbs around western Sydney,they are very popular over here.
lenno
12 years ago
http://www.replants.com/planting-and-care/grass-tree-heath-care

Western Australian company that 'Replant' grass trees from bush that is about to be developed. Some great info, hope this helps.
jperry261
9 years ago
I currently sowed some grass tree seeds about 3 weeks ago, how long does it take to germinate?

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Tree: Australian Tea Tree

By Annie Thornton

A living sculpture with an unmistakable appearance, this coastal native creates an intriguing landscape scene

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: Nature Dictates a Dynamic Australian Design

By Elements of Style

Earthy materials and a respect for trees are just the start of how this modern home embraces the beauty of the outdoors

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Top California Native Plants, Trees and Grasses

By Debbie Ballentine

Enjoy a fuss-free, water-wise garden in the Golden State by growing plants naturally in tune with the climate and wildlife

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Australian Home Appeals to 3 Generations

Two separate ecofriendly dwellings on an Adelaide property mean family is never far away

LANDSCAPE DESIGN See a Lush Australian Garden That Needs Little Water

By Elements of Style

Highly self-sufficient and sustainable, this oasis near Sydney offers something special around every corner

HOLIDAYS Setting the Table for an Australian Christmas

Find out how an interior stylist introduces a festive feeling for her dinner guests with a native Australian centerpiece

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Double Take: Is This an Ice Block in an Australian Backyard?

By Becky Harris

Or maybe it's a magical dais or a crystal sculpture. Take a guess, then see if you got it right

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Australian Circus Family's Home Juggles Extra Room

With a new extension and a main-cottage overhaul, this busy foursome now has plenty of sustainably minded space

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Australian Vertical Gardens Create an Artful Outdoor Retreat

By Annie Thornton

Inventive hanging planters transform a rough backyard into a living sanctuary

GREEN BUILDING My Houzz: Sustainability Meets Global Style on an Australian Hilltop

It puts the power of the sun to work while keeping the budget in check and family socializing front and center

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting