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Lomandra confertifolia 'Finescape' (Finescape Mat Rush) - A compact evergreen clump forming grass-like plant to 18 inches tall by as wide with very narrow (1/8" wide) dark green leaves that arch over gracefully. In late spring into early summer appear the tiny yellow fragrant male flowers emerging from reddish buds held tightly to vertical stalks that rise up within the foliage.
Plant in full coastal sun to part shade in a well-drained soil and irrigated regularly to occasionally. It is reported to be tolerant of salt spray and with a good resistance to root rot. Hardy to at least to 20° F and useful in USDA Zones 8- 11. Though we have not seen evidence of this yet, it is reportedly tolerant of salt spray and having good resistance to root rot. This should prove to be a nice smaller Lomandra for accent planting in small areas and relatively dry borders, bright understory plantings or in containers.
We first became aware of this small cultivar in 2014 when Ball Horticulture first started promoting it but it wasn't until 2019 that we were able to get a plant for our Lomandra collection. It looks like it could be a very nice smaller Lomandra but with the same cultural requirements of a well-draining soil that we recommend for all Lomandra confertifolia cultivars but it did not perform consistently well in the 2015-2017 University of California Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials in Davis, California where it was planted in flat ground in moderately heavy soil in full sun with inland valley heat. The few plants that did get good (some even rave) ratings were irrigated at the highest rate (80% ETo). As will most Lomandra confertifolia we have grown, this one likely would have done much better planted on a mound and likely would have been better tried in shaded conditions in Davis. The lack of availability of this plant from micropropagation laboratories (tissue culture) has prevented it from being grown by any nursery in California, so other than the few plants we maintain in our collection it remains unavailable for the foreseeable future.
This information about Lomandra confertifolia 'Finescape' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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