Are you a landscape designer or architect seeking the perfect plant to enhance your project with beauty while minimising pollen-related discomfort? Look no further than Dianella spp., an excellent choice for anyone prioritising an allergy-conscious garden.
1. Little Jess™ Dianella caerulea ‘DCMP01’ PBR.
Dianellas, commonly known as flax lilies, are increasingly favoured in Australian gardens, not just for their visual appeal but also for their support for charismatic buzz pollinators like teddy bear bees and blue banded bees. These specialist pollinators buzz at a frequency that unlocks the pollen which other insects are unable to access.
Because the plants actively hold onto their pollen, these plants are able to support individuals with pollen sensitivities, such as hayfever sufferers (allergenic rhinitis). Such individuals make up 24% of the Australian population according to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
This is unlike plants that rely on wind to disperse pollen, such as true grasses, conifers, birches, ashes, willows, and many more.
Beyond their allergy-friendly properties and support for buzz pollinators, Dianellas offer a myriad of architectural shapes, as well as blue-purple flowers and berries which are quite ornamental and potentially edible, depending on species and preparation. Some sources label the berries toxic, while others refer to them as a bushfood.
Dianellas thrive in a variety of garden settings, from structured, formal landscapes to naturalistic designs. They are hardy and adaptable, flourishing in different soil types and climatic conditions across Australia. Their low maintenance needs and drought tolerance make them an excellent choice for sustainable gardening, aligning with the growing trend towards environmentally-friendly landscape practices.
2. Blaze™ Dianella tasmanica ‘NPW2’ PBR.
Top 5 Dianellas
Baby Breeze™ Dianella ‘DCNC3’ PBR Intended
This native flax is low-growing and can bounce back from low foot traffic and being driven over occasionally. It’s an ideal low/no-mow lawn alternative or roadside plant
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/baby-breeze-dianella-2/
Little Jess™ Dianella caerulea ‘DCMP02’ PBR (New & Improved)
Australia’s favourite landscape Dianella just got better. Now with an improved tolerance to periodic wet feet, frost, and restricted root zones such as pots and containers.
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/#Dianella
Summer Rev™ Dianella spp ‘Dian04’ PBR Intended
We Queenslanders have looked on in envy at the variety of interesting Dianella spp. that thrive down south we simply don’t have access to due to our humidity. Now we have a new interesting native flax with a glaucous blue colour and sword-like leaf shape that tolerates humidity.
Blaze™ Dianella tasmanica ‘NPW2’ PBR
This is the perfect dianella for adding year-round colour, especially in areas that get variable sunlight. It thrives in full sun to heavy shade, as well as frost, heat, sand and clay.
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/blaze-dianella/
King Alfred® Dianella caerulea ‘JOHN316’ PBR
This is one of the best erosion controlling plants ever bred, with testing showing it improves soil stability by 752% (2007 Paananen, Layt; Study). It’s one of the taller options and prefers a hard prune every year or two.
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/king-alfred-dianella/
Browse more high performance Dianella spp. here.
https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges/strappy-leaf-plants/#Dianella
King Alfred® Dianella caerulea ‘JOHN316’ PBR.
Conclusion
A quarter of Australians have hayfever, and that’s not even including the asthmatic. That’s a lot of Aussies who often find themselves avoiding outdoor spaces during peak pollen seasons. Let’s create spaces that accommodate all Australians with pollen-friendly plant palettes.
I’m not advocating for the removal of all potentially problematic plants from Australian landscapes. But if your next project were accessible to those 24% of Australians with hayfever, it could provide a safe outdoor place for people who would otherwise be stuck indoors.