A compact, clumping flax lily with deep green strappy leaves, sprays of blue starry flowers and purple berries. A neat, tough small native for borders, pots and mass planting.
At a glance
- Plant type: Ornamental grass
- Mature size: 40 cm H × 40 cm W
- Aspect: full sun and part shade or morning sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Little Jess Flax Lily
Botanically, Dianella 'Little Jess' is an moderate-growing ornamental grass in the Asphodelaceae family, native to Australia. It reaches around 40 cm tall and 40 cm wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Blue and purple flowers appear in spring and summer.
Where to grow Little Jess Flax Lily
Little Jess Flax Lily suits warm-temperate, subtropical and cool-temperate climates and grows best in full sun and part shade or morning sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Little Jess Flax Lily does best in free-draining, loamy and clay soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in.
Watering & feeding
Little Jess Flax Lily is happy on low water, so once its roots are down it needs little supplementary water. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
Pruning & care
Prune Little Jess Flax Lily after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. Overall it is low maintenance.
Using Little Jess Flax Lily in the garden
Little Jess Flax Lily earns its place for pots and courtyard containers, holding soil on banks and slopes, a feature or specimen planting and drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden. It is equally at home in the ground or a large pot on a balcony or courtyard.
Companion planting & design
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Little Jess Flax Lily with other plants that enjoy the same happy on low water and warm-temperate climate. Repeat it through a border to tie the planting together and give a sense of rhythm. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Little Jess Flax Lily
Plant Sale lists Little Jess Flax Lily as tube stock and potted plants. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.