Dianella nigra – Turutu, Blue Berry, Ink Berry.
Dianella nigra is the only New Zealand species of the genus Dianella which is mainly dominated by Australian species and a few from the Pacific Islands.
Dianella is named for Diana “Goddess of the Woods”.
This is a lovely small flax leaved like plant which thrives well n semi shade throughout New Zealand and is able to withstand cold weather but does not grow much about 750m in elevation. It is found in most places in NZ as well as the Three kings Islands growing in open forests and alongside tracks and in spaces created by fallen trees.
Its foliage is an attractive yellowish green colour with a distinctive midrib and rough almost sharp edges to the arching leaves.
Flowering in December/January period in NZ the stems (inflorescence) reach up above the leaves by about the same height as the leaves. The flowers are small being only 6-9mm across and greenish to white in colour. Once flowered they are quickly followed by colourful fruit up to 20mm long and 10mm in diameter. The colour of the fruit varies from whitish grey to violet purple with a glossy exterior.
It is very easy to grow in the garden in sunny or semi shaded places and it grows well in most soils that are well drained. It you have a nicely coloured fruiting form the best propagation is by division.
There is a variegated form Dianella nigra “Margaret Pringle” and is variable in its variegation and the edges may be tinged with pink. She collected this plant on the West Coast of NZ between Westport and Granity and noted that it is harder than the straight species. It is a nice garden plant.
See more photos of this plant on my Pinterest page Dianella nigra
There are now a number of Australian species grown in NZ.
Dianella is named for Diana “Goddess of the Woods”.
This is a lovely small flax leaved like plant which thrives well n semi shade throughout New Zealand and is able to withstand cold weather but does not grow much about 750m in elevation. It is found in most places in NZ as well as the Three kings Islands growing in open forests and alongside tracks and in spaces created by fallen trees.
Its foliage is an attractive yellowish green colour with a distinctive midrib and rough almost sharp edges to the arching leaves.
Flowering in December/January period in NZ the stems (inflorescence) reach up above the leaves by about the same height as the leaves. The flowers are small being only 6-9mm across and greenish to white in colour. Once flowered they are quickly followed by colourful fruit up to 20mm long and 10mm in diameter. The colour of the fruit varies from whitish grey to violet purple with a glossy exterior.
It is very easy to grow in the garden in sunny or semi shaded places and it grows well in most soils that are well drained. It you have a nicely coloured fruiting form the best propagation is by division.
There is a variegated form Dianella nigra “Margaret Pringle” and is variable in its variegation and the edges may be tinged with pink. She collected this plant on the West Coast of NZ between Westport and Granity and noted that it is harder than the straight species. It is a nice garden plant.
See more photos of this plant on my Pinterest page Dianella nigra
There are now a number of Australian species grown in NZ.