In regard to habitat value, lomandras play a vital role for insects and this in turn, benefits birds, frogs and other animals that feed on insects. Flowers are pollinated by beetles and the nectar harvest is well sought after by bees, whilst ants harvest and distribute seeds.
Full Answer
What are the growing conditions for Lomandra?
Lomandra growing conditions vary from sandy to moist soils in swamps, mountains, creek banks, forests and open hillsides. Lomandra grass has a clumping habit with green, flat blades and a height and spread of about three feet.
Can you eat lomandra leaves?
Medicinally, the leaves were sometimes used as bandages and the root of some lomandra species were used for the treatment of bites and stings. The sweetly scented flowers are edible. Fruit is also edible but they are tough and need to be ground to meal first. The base of the leaf is a little bit fleshy and can be eaten.
What can I do with Lomandra longifolia?
Lomandra longifolia was (and in some places still is!) used by Aboriginal people for basket weaving and the construction of eel traps (4). Imagine a basket woven from the plants growing in your garden! Labyrinths. Perhaps not the most conventional suggestion but surely a good one!
How do you care for Lomandra grass?
As an added bonus, caring for Lomandra grass is effortless and plants have few disease or insect problems. The largest of the Lomandra is Katie Belles. It grows nicely in bright sun or dappled shade and produces prolific creamy white inflorescences.
How do you take care of Lomandra grass?
Once established, the grass is tolerant of drought but for thick clumps of glossy foliage, occasional watering is an important part of Lomandra maintenance. If grasses get damaged due to frost, wind or time, simply cut them back to 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm.)
How do you care for a Lomandra breeze?
Grow lomandra longifolia breeze in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates short periods of freezing weather, but may not last in temperatures below 20° degrees Fahrenheit (-7° C). Dwarf mat rush is recommended for USDA hardiness zones 7 to 10.
Does Lomandra need to be cut back?
Lomandra has become a very popular landscape plant due to it's grass-like appearance and low maintenance requirements. While they do not require annual pruning like grasses, they do benefit from a hard pruning after a number of years in the ground.
How do you care for Lomandra lime tuff?
Plant in full sun to moderate shade in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to infrequently once established. Hardy to around 15° F. perhaps slightly lower.
Is Lomandra drought tolerant?
Despite its demure appearance, Platinum Beauty lomandra (Lomandra longifolia 'Roma13' PP25962) is extremely drought tolerant, deer resistant and low maintenance since it does not need pruning. As versatile as it is beautiful, there are many ways to take advantage of its virtues.
Does Lomandra grow in shade?
Spiny-headed Mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia) – seen here there and everywhere, because it's one of the toughest of our native plants. It will grow in full sun or dense shade and produces honey-scented creamy flower spikes in spring.
Why is my Lomandra lime tuff dying?
Phytophthora is a root rot disease caused by the fungi Phytophthora cinnamomi. It is a major cause of die back in native vegetation and has significant impact in gardens as well. The disease is likely to have been brought into Australia with European settlement and has become very widespread.
How do you maintain Lomandra tanika?
Care: Water as required for 8-13 weeks until established. Plant in a well mulched garden (chunky mulch is recommended). Ensure crown or base of plant is not below soil or mulch level. If required use slow release fertiliser in spring.
Is Lomandra native to Australia?
Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-head Mat-rush or Basket Grass) is native Australia wide except for the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
How quickly does Lomandra grow?
Lomandra will grow to planting size within a season and are robust enough to be planted out when they are around 200-‐300mm high.
Can you divide Lomandra?
Many native grasses and strappy-leaved plants, such as Lomandra hystrix, can be propagated by division. This is a method where the entire plant is dug out of the ground, divided and replanted. Angus prefers to dig plants he's dividing with a garden fork rather than a spade to minimise damage to the root system.
Is Lomandra lime tuff native to Australia?
Withstands heavy frost, and good for coastal plantings. It is proving to be adaptable to a wide range of climates from temperate to Mediterranean as well as sub tropical climates. Great as a border or pot plant, and can be used under trees....Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' – Mat Rush.Family:LomandraceaeSoil Type:Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil17 more rows•Dec 28, 2015
How tall does Lomandra breeze grow?
three feet tallLomandra has the look and feel of an ornamental grass with its bright-green foliage. It has proven to be very drought tolerant once established and will maintain its evergreen blades with temperatures below 20 degrees. The Breeze is advertised to grow three feet tall and wide.
Can you transplant Lomandra?
Strappy leafed plants like Kangaroo Paws and Lomandra are really simple to do. This isLomandra hystrix- one of the Mat-rushes (Green Mat-Rush). Dig around the clump and take as big a root ball as possible and shake out the dirt so you can see what you're doing.
Is Lomandra poisonous?
Most parts of this plant are edible. It has a heavy scent, soaked with nectar. The seeds can be ground then added to flour and for those who love a rustic bush cake, this is exactly what you should try out.
How fast does Cape rush grow?
For a neat appearance, remove old foliage before new leaves emerge. Divide clumps every 2 to 3 years in early spring....We no longer grow this plant.Botanical Pronunciationkon-dro-PET-a-lum tek-TO-rumAverage Size at MaturitySlow growing to 2 to 3 ft. high, equal spread.18 more rows
What is a lomandra?
Lomandra are very versatile and look fabulous mass planted, as a low informal border, as individual accents in a mixed planting or even in pots. They are ideal for preventing erosion on embankments as they have a shallow, fibrous root system and are also a useful habitat plant to attract butterflies, lizards or frogs to your garden.
What does a lomandra plant look like?
Grown primarily for their foliage lomandra do produce spikes of small cream to mustard-yellow flowers clustered along stems. These appear from spring through to summer and are often hidden within the foliage. On some plants they are more prominent and are especially beautiful when contrasting with the grey foliage varieties. Many lomandra flowers are deliciously scented but take care when trying to get a whiff as they’re quite spiky!
What is Lomandra used for?
There are also another couple of less conventional uses, and we have the indigenous people to thank for them.. Lomandra foliage has been used in weaving in times past, and the seeds ground and added to ‘damper’ – a type of Australian soda bread!
How cold would Lomandra survive?
With a strong heritage as an Australian native, Lomandra would survive all of the following: severe cold and frost to -10C , flooded ground, footballs landing onto it, perishing dry summers, curious dogs, clumsy Aunts, and so much more!
How tall is Lomandra white sands?
At a manageable 75cm tall and 50cm wide, Lomandra ‘White Sands’ looks handsome in most planting situations- whether that’s a patio container or a mixed border. This plant is a natural landscaping star, as it battles through cold, frost, heat, drought and water logging, barely breaking a sweat…!
What was Robert's job in Lomandra?
It was Robert’s job to first source viable seed of Lomandra, and he collated quite a few species. Sometimes, breeding programmes start off with a bit of busy bee action, and that was the case for Lomandra, as insects and bees busily spread pollen amongst those different species and cultivars.
Is Lomandra grass a grass?
Chances are you won’t have heard of Lomandra! This mysterious plant has a severe case of mistaken identity, as it’s not in fact a grass AT ALL. Lomandra plants are actually part of the Asparagus family, following a recent classification from the Lily family.
Is Lomandra a pure green?
As a pure green plant in the wild, Lomandra may not cause you to look twice… however, this new cream-etched variety was a crowd pleaser for sure! The upright, candelabra habit of Lomandra is slightly different to the usual clump forming grasses, and gives it quite a majestic stature. This plant would be landscape gold!
What are some examples of natural play spaces?
Such a landscape may include plants, boulders, water and sand, quiet social areas, interesting pathways, musical instruments as well as structured play equipment. Plant choice is critical for success when creating a natural play space. Lomandra with male-only flowers (ie non-spikey) are well suited to natural play spaces. Lomandra ‘Shara’, ‘Tanika’, ‘Lime Tuff' all have non spikey flowers and strappy foliage that can be woven into baskets, platted into rope or generally wrestled in, jumped on and attacked! One established they will regenerate from their dense crown after damage. As seen in the ‘Bush Foods’ discussion below, Lomandra are also non-toxic.
What is the purpose of the leaves of Lomandra?
The strappy leaves of Lomandra make it suitable for basket weaving. In children’s play spaces I have seen the construction of Lomandra baskets. Lomandra longifolia was (and in some places still is!) used by Aboriginal people for basket weaving and the construction of eel traps (4).
Why is Lomandra so difficult to grow?
The heat from pavements, buildings, roads etc combined with poor air quality and limited irrigation render the urban landscape one of the most difficult areas for growing plants. Lomandra has proven itself in the urban landscape for decades.
How tall is a Lomandrais?
It has arching green leaf blades emerging from a central crown. The species can range in height from 10 cm to 1.8 metres. Flowers are dioecious ie male and female flowers grow on different plants.
Can Lomandra be grown in bushland?
Alternatively, both Lomandra longifolia and Lomandra hystrix can be grown in bushland areas using direct seeding techniques. Lomandra hystrix is useful in the revegetation of gallery rainforests where it dominates the understorey. Containers – Narrow leaved Lomandra look fabulous in containers.
What is a labyrinth?
According to the Labyrinth Society, the labyrinth itself is a single footpath used for personal, psychological and spiritual transformation.
How many viro tubes per m2?
With good soil preparation, correct pot sizes and planting rates of 5 – 7 Viro-tubes per m2 - good results can be expected. Success can be improved by timing planting with seasons, irrigation (at least in early months) and adding an organic mulch.
