This is a post I have wanted to make for quite some time but have been waiting to find this species in flower and looking lush and green. So say Hello to Dianella caerulea ‘Little Jess’, I must say this native grass probably has a bad rap, I have heard it called ‘weedella’ from Bush regenerators due to its running root system. However this is a dwarf cultivar which is easier to keep under control and doesn’t get anywhere near as tall.

The deep green flax-like leaves are weeping and the grassy clump grow to approximately 50cm high.

It is a very useful ornamental native grass for tight spots like along pathways or next to fences. It will also grow happily under trees where root competition is fierce.

Dianella caerulea ‘Little Jess’ produces delicate sprays of purple/blue flowers with bright yellow stamens, these flowers attract pollinating insects and when they are finished are replaced with blue berries which birds find delicious.

This Dianella will grow in part shade to quite heavy shade in a well drained soil. It will cope with wet periods for some time and I have found it to be very hardy in clay soils.

I like to use Dianella ‘Little Jess’ in mixed grassy beds with other ornamental flowering grasses and also with shade tolerant groundcovers like Native Violet and Pratia.

Although this is a low maintenance hardy species it will benefit from a trim after flowering (both unwanted canes and spent flower stalks) and a feed with native slow release fertiliser.

So I hope I have shown you some of the virtues of this under-rated species and I would encourage you to give it a go where other things have failed.