Seascape Mat Rush

Lomandra confertifolia ssp. rubiginosa 'Seascape'

Lomandra ‘Seascape’ on 40% ET0 in September 2011. Photo: SK Reid.

Summary

Following is a quote from a botanical website in Australia, where this plant is native.  “All the Lomandra confertifolia species described grow in dry sclerophyll forest with some shade, except for one type which grows in rocky sandstone type soils. This is probably the reason why most fail in humid type climates, as well as dry climates where it is full sun and heavy soil types (sic)” (which describes our exact conditions). This same source recommended planting out no smaller than 6” pots; the plants we had were 4” pots. Given these characteristics, it is not surprising that this plant did not thrive in the full sun in our clay loam soil. Establishment on regular water was just not sufficient to overcome this plant’s probable preference for partial shade in our hot location.

The only significant differences in growth parameters were between the highest and lowest irrigation levels. Very low water is clearly not recommended for Lomandra. The flowering was probably triggered by a stress survival response. We felt that given the ideal growing conditions, this did have the potential to be an attractive landscape plant for dry shade, though another trial in shade would be needed to confirm that.

Growth and Quality Data

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