BREEZE ® Dianella caerulea ‘DCNC0’

Characteristics: Growth habit erect, height short (mean 23.4cm), density of shoots strong. Stem: length of internodes short. Leaf: attitude erect to semi-erect, width medium (mean 14.9mm), upper side colour with waxiness removed yellow-green (RHS 147A), upper side colour with waxiness retained greyed-green (RHS 189A), lower side colour yellow-green (RHS 147A), upper side glaucosity strong, shape ligulate, apex acute, cross section concave, spines on margin absent, spines on lower side midrib absent. Basal sheath: colour blue green, anthocyanin colouration absent. (Note: all RHS colour chart numbers refer to 2001 edition).

General Description: Free flowing dark green foliage with quite exquisite sprays of soft blue flowers in spring, followed by attractive, purple berries. Grows to approximately 60cm in height, and 60 cm in width. After a few years it will spread further, up to 1metre in sandy soils. If irrigated, and fertilised it can grow to 75mm in height. Unlike regular Dianella caerulea, Breeze does not have unsightly above ground canes below the leaves. Breeze is some what rhizomtoneous, so it spreads under ground filling in gaps.

Position: Grows well in full sun and moderate to heavy shaded positions. Tolerates windy and salt laden windy positions. Very drought tolerant. It will generally survive and prosper on natural rainfall in most of the populated areas of North Queensland, especially coastal areas. For desert inland type areas occasional watering may be required. It does well in both raised and flat areas, in both clay and sandy soils. It can tolerate wet feet better than most plant types other than wetland plants, but it is best to avoid areas that get prolonged wet feet. It tolerates heavy frost and is generally evergreen, but in extreme cold climates like Canberra, Breeze browns slightly, and can yellow.

Mulch Type: It lives well in all mulch types, but for other reasons such as weed control, and better drought benefits, we recommend mulch that is comprised of hardwood chips or other chunky wood material with no more than 5% fines by volume (preferably zero fines). The material must not contain any bark. The average size of the woodchip must be approximately 30 mm x 20 mm x 5 mm and the maximum length of chip is not to exceed 50 mm. It must be free of soil, weeds, stones, vermin, insects or other foreign material. (Note: Mulch with less than 5% fines has many advantages, and should be used anyway, not to mention it is part of the Australian standards to have no more than 5% fines.)

Care: Water as required to keep the plant healthy for the first 8 to 13 weeks. After this irrigation is optional (not required) for most populated areas of North Queensland, other than particularly dry inland regions. Breeze can tolerate excessive water or dry conditions. Trimming is rarely required, generally every 8 years in gardens, and probably never on road sides, but if needed, trim using a sharp implement to 15cm above the ground, leaving about six leaves on each plant untrimmed. These leaves can be trimmed about three weeks later. Avoid trimming in drought conditions, or in the middle of summer. Fertiliser is rarely required, but in ornamental gardens if a darker green colour is desired, fertilise with any good balanced 8 to 9 month slow release fertiliser, preferably in spring or autumn.

Uses: Ideal for specimen planting or mass planting in gardens, roadsides, golf courses, factories, offices, and most types of residential and commercial planting. Good under story plant in sparse or thicker tree plantings. Good companion plant with Little Jess, King Alfred,TropicBelle, Cassa Blue and Little Rev provided the planting instructions are followed for these. Excellent erosion control plant. Great for areas that can be dry for long periods, or wet for long periods, provided it is not under water, and just wet soils. Excellent for along paths and roads, as the plant will spread to the edge of the planting area.

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