Seascape Mat Rush

Lomandra confertifolia ssp. rubiginosa 'Seascape'

Lomandra ‘Seascape’ on 50% ETo in September 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

As with our other attempts to grow L. confertifolia cultivars, we killed more plants than we were able to keep alive; in this case 8 out of 24 plants survived, roughly evenly distributed between treatments (80% n=3; 50% n=2; 20% n=3). We present the data in the appendix for the survivors, but the sample size was insufficient to determine statistical significance between treatments (Table 20a). Plants that survived never looked robust and healthy in our soil and climate. For this reason, we do not recommend this species/cultivar in this growing region.

Trials staff attempted to select the best-looking individual for each treatment and species before the May Open House for participants to rate throughout the season. However, the individuals of L. ‘Seascape’ selected to represent the 80% and 20% ET_o treatments died after the July open house. This is an accurate representation of how the species performed as a whole as discussed in the previous paragraph. It should be mentioned that the individual selected for the 80% ET_o treatment was the best specimen in the field, which is why its initial (May) mean and median scores were significantly higher than the other two individuals (Table 20b). Perhaps the best conclusion that could be drawn from looking at this set of Open House data is 1) if a large enough sample size of plant material is grown, at least one individual will look exceptional; 2) if a large enough sample of people rate the plant, at least one individual will think a plant cultivar is exceptional.

Lomandra ‘Seascape’ on 80% ETo in September 2017. (This individual was dead by October.) Photo: SK Reid.

Growth and Quality Data

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Lomandra ‘Seascape’ on 20% ETo in September 2017. (No summer water.) Photo: SK Reid.