Caesia calliantha
blue grass lily
Overview
Caesia calliantha is a tufted evergreen perennial forming a clump of grass-like leaves 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long that arch from a base of fleshy roots. Slender branched flowering stems rise 12-28 inches (30-70 cm) tall above the leaves, carrying many small star-shaped flowers. Each flower is 0.4-0.6 inches (10-15 mm) across with six blue to violet tepals that twist together and curl as the flower fades. Flowers open in succession from spring into summer, with only a few open on a stem at any time, each lasting about a day. Small three-lobed capsules follow, holding black seeds. The clump spreads slowly and stays compact. In drier districts the leaves die back over summer, with regrowth from the roots after autumn rain. Plants grow among grasses and can be hard to see when not in flower.
Native Range
Native to south-eastern Australia, in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory. Grows in grassland, grassy woodland, and open forest on a range of well-drained soils.Suggested Uses
Planted in native grassland and meadow gardens, rockeries, and mixed borders, spaced 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) apart. The flowers draw native bees and other insects. It grows in containers of at least 2 gallons (8 L) with free drainage, combined with grasses for a meadow effect.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to violetFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in well-drained sandy or loamy soil and tolerates seasonal dryness once established. Water occasionally through the first season, after which established plants need little extra water. It suits grassland and meadow-style plantings where it grows among grasses and other tufting perennials. The leaves may die back in summer in dry districts and reshoot after autumn rain. Few pests affect it. Clumps can be divided in autumn or grown from seed, though seedlings take two to three years to flower.Pruning
No regular pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be cut back after seeding to tidy the clump and limit self-seeding. Dead leaves can be removed once they have dried off in summer.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons