\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Removing old flower stems keeps the plant's energy focused on vigorous growth instead of seed production. by Beth Bolles | Mar 11, 2021 | Cold Damage, Florida Friendly Landscaping, Foliage, General Gardening, Pruning Flax lily is a popular perennial that adds interest to garden borders or when planted in mass. The flax lily is an excellent addition to any garden because of its lovely foliage and the care required to keep it healthy. After flowering, it is best to trim the plant back to almost the ground to avoid disturbing the foliage, which is fine textured and grows to 18 inches tall and wide. Getting rid of New Zealand flax can be a difficult process, especially if the plant has become established in an area. When you . While flax lilies are hardy plants that do not require much overwintering, they can be found in zones 9, 10, and 11. Blue flax flowers bloom on stalks that can reach 1 to 3 feet tall and come in five petals. How to Get Rid of a Xanthomonas Leaf Spot on a Dieffenbachia, How to Divide Ornamental Grasses for Replanting, How to Trim Lilac, Rose of Sharon and Forsythia Bushes, How to Care for a Potted Freesia After Blooming, San Marcos Growers: Dianella Caerulea King Alfred, Texas A&M University Department of Horticultural Sciences: Dianella Tasmanica, The Garden Helper: How to Grow and Care for Ornamental Grasses, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests, How to Treat Rust Disease in Dianella or Flax Lily Plants. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Pruning every two to three years will encourage a tidier fuller form. You can use your first cut as a guide to. Plants can be affected by cold temperatures so a little maintenance as temperatures warm is often necessary. Its a good idea to inspect dahlia tubers and other summer bulbs in the garden for any issues. Prevent rapidly colonization of Dianella by watering infrequently. Do not hard prune your flax lilies for at least another four or five years or you could damage the plant. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It may not include any sale or end-of-line items as clearly stated at the time of purchase. Planting mixes dry out quickly in hot weather. Ideal for containers or massed in beds to create a dramatic textural effect! How: Even if you choose a sunny day to prune, wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves so the blades of grass don't cut your skin. It can be grown as a houseplant in zones below the water line, or as an annual outside. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). If the plant is too large, cut back the center stems to encourage new growth. Deadheading spent flowers and removing browned stems will make room for healthy new growth. The material used is high quality Japanese High Carbon Steel, making it extremely lightweight. For more advice from our Horticulture co-author, like how to prune off browning foliage, scroll down! If the plant is too large, cut back the center stems to encourage new growth. Also avoid overhead watering since it favors the germination and spread of fungal diseases such as rust. Only when the weather is nice do the flowers open, but they last through the summer and produce small rounded seed heads. Its satiny sky blue flowers bloom late spring and last through mid-summer, creating an elegant and graceful touch to any garden. The ideal time to fertilize the variegated flax lily is just before it produces new spring growth. To cut flax lilies back, measure approximately six inches up from the ground and cut through several of the leaves using a pair of pruning shears. Thanks, Meems. Most years, new growth will come out in the spring and the plant will recover nicely. Dig hole 2X the width of pot. ", https://www.homedepot.com/c/pruning_tools_HT_BG_OD, http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/prune-peace-lily-spathiphyllum/. Flax lilies prefer clay or sandy soils and have a very low need for water. If you're impatient, use your thumbnail to scratch the bark starting at the top of the plant and working down. Callaloo. Greens in the summer garden, Getting Through the 8 Stages of What the Fuck, A Year Ago Today: Giant Cigar Orchid with the Milky Way. They are getting out of control. Remember to fertilize the plant after pruning to encourage new growth. I see them remaining a favorite for borders. Hard pruning is an extreme pruning method involving cutting back all of the stems on the plant to within a few inches of ground level. Blue flaxseed requires little to no maintenance and will be a long-lasting addition to any garden. Stumble Back In Can It Have Been THAT Long ? Alternatively, add a shovelful or two of compost around the plants but don't cover the crowns. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This way, the grass will stay bundled as you prune and not explode into pieces everywhere. Blue flax (Linum perenne), also known as perennial flax, is a popular ornamental flowering plant that blooms in the spring and summer months, producing delicate blue flowers. By choosing tall, narrow, porcupine grass (Miscanthus sinensis strictus) and a small variety of New Zealand flax, this gardener has stayed pretty well within a . Because it produces a wide range of blue flowers and blooms for a long period of time, it is an excellent choice for any perennial flower bed. The spires of tiny blue to violet flowers appear on stalks rising above the foliage in late winter, spring and early summer, resulting in blue berries in fall. University of Florida IFAS Extension: Gardening With Perennials in Florida, Missouri Botanical Garden: Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions: Flax Lily, San Marcos Growers: Dianella Tasmanica - Tasman Flax Lily. Dianella caerulea (leafy flax lilies), which resemble grasses, blooms on a long, trailing, green path. I was wondering recently why my flax lilies look a little tired. Dig it up, drive a shovel through the root ball and replant the pieces. To keep the variegated flax lily looking tidy, remove old, yellow or pest-infested leaves throughout the growing season. Powered by, several posts have been previously written. Hand-pulling the plants is an option, though it can be tedious and time-consuming. Expired leaves can be pruned whenever they appear, and the removal of spent flowers will help keep the plant happy as well. It grows well with partial shade and regular moisture. I had pulled out all the dead leaves but didn't think to cut back the entire plant. If you care for and maintain New Zealand flax properly, it can be a beautiful addition to any garden. Cutting back helps to prolong the life of the plant as well. With regular pruning, the New Zealand Flax can remain healthy and attractive for many years. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. With some plants, deadheading actually encourages new flowers to bloom. When I purchased them there was a small bit of rust on the leaves. Flax lilies (Dianella caerulea) are a grasslike perennial flowering plant also known by the names blue flax lily and Dianella King Alfred.