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Products > Dianella caerulea King Alfred ['John316'] PP20,794   Dianella caerulea King Alfred ['John316'] PP20,794 - Blue Flax Lily     [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Grass-like Family: Phormiaceae (~Xanthorrhoeaceae) Origin: Australia (Australasia) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Light Blue Bloomtime: Spring/Summer Height: 1-2 feet Width: Spreading Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Summer Dry: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F Dianella caerulea King Alfred ['John316'] PP20,794 (Blue Flax Lily) - A 2 foot tall and wide compact perennial with unique narrow blue green strap-shaped foliage that sprout from fans arising at ground level. In summer appear the purple and yellow flowers that extend up to 3 feet and are followed by attractive blue-purple round fruit. Grows well in full sun but also tolerates a moderately shaded site in heavy clay to sandy soils. It is very drought tolerant in coastal and non-desert inland valley areas yet can handle regular irrigation and even brief periods of inundation - great for a depressed area that may get seasonally very wet and then dry afterwards. Should prove hardy to around 15°F. This is reputed to be one of the best Dianella for windy and salt laden coastal conditions. This plant rarely needs grooming, going many years without attention but should it be required, the recommendation is to cut back foliage to 6 inches above the ground. Great for a specimen planting in the ground or in a container and great for a mass planting in the home or commercial garden both in full sun or as an understory to an open canopy tree planting. Compared to other Dianella caerulea cultivars Jo O'Connell of Australian Native Plant Nursery says "this one blooms later and lingers longer". This plant was discovered in 2002 by Nuanong Chuawong at Castlereagh Nursery in Castlereagh, New South Wales 2749 Australia as the single seedling selection from a 10,000 seed batch of Dianella caerulea 'Sydney Ecotype'. It was selected for its good bluish leaf color, tall plant height, a red basal sheath zone and blue flowers that stand above the foliage. Unlike some other Dianella caerulea, this plant does not produce vegetative stems (canes) and the fans sit at ground level. This plant is marketed in the US by Ozbreed as part of its Celebrated Plants line. It received its Plant Breeders Rights under Application No. 2006/035 on March 2006 and its US Plant Patent 20,794 in March 2010.  The information about Dianella caerulea King Alfred ['John316'] PP20,794 displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.     [MORE INFO]