Description:

An unusual succulent sub-shrub producing long, needle-like blue-green foliage that takes on a spherical form atop a dark brown trunk; tall flower spikes at plant maturity; drought tolerant once established; very slow growth rate

Ornamental Features

Western Australian Grass Tree features showy spikes of white star-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from late winter to late spring. Its attractive large grassy leaves remain bluish-green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Western Australian Grass Tree is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a more or less rounded form. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Western Australian Grass Tree is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Western Australian Grass Tree will grow to be about 8 feet tall at maturity extending to 16 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 8 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.

Western Australian Grass Tree is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.