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Doryanthes excelsa

Gymea lily

Doryanthaceae New South Wales, Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Doryanthes excelsa is a large evergreen perennial forming a dense rosette of strap-shaped leaves 1-2.5 m (3-8 ft) long and 5-10 cm (2-4 in) wide, sword-like and arching, mid- to dark green. Mature clumps spread 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) across. From the rosette a stout flowering stem rises 2-6 m (6.5-20 ft) tall, topped by a dense rounded head 30-40 cm (12-16 in) across of red flowers, each 8-10 cm (3-4 in) long, surrounded by reddish bracts. Flowering occurs mainly in spring and is followed by woody capsules holding many flat seeds. The plant is slow to flower, often taking 8-10 years or more from seed to first bloom, and each rosette flowers once before that rosette dies and is replaced by offsets. The species grows on sandstone soils in heath and open forest and tolerates poor soils and drought once established, but is frost-sensitive when young and slow to establish.

Native Range

Native to coastal New South Wales, Australia, around the Sydney Basin and adjacent ranges, growing on sandstone-derived soils in heath, woodland, and open forest, often on exposed slopes and ridges.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a feature and architectural plant in large gardens, parks, and sandstone landscapes, spaced 2-3 m (6.5-10 ft) apart. The long leaves and tall flower stems suit open, sunny positions with room to develop. The large size and slow growth limit its use in small gardens and containers.

How to Identify

Recognised by a large rosette of arching sword-shaped leaves 1-2.5 m (3-8 ft) long and a tall flowering stem 2-6 m (6.5-20 ft) high bearing a dense rounded head of red flowers. The single terminal flower head and giant leaf rosette separate it from Doryanthes palmeri, which carries flowers along the upper stem rather than in one head.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 20'

Width/Spread6'6" - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring

Flowers mainly in spring, August to November in coastal New South Wales, with the tall stem developing over several months beforehand. Each rosette flowers once, after many years of growth, then is replaced by offsets. Flowering draws nectar-feeding birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 5-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to part shade on free-draining sandy or gravelly soil, with room for the large rosette and tall flower stem. Water to establish; mature plants tolerate poor soils and extended drought. Young plants are sensitive to frost and grow slowly, often taking 8-10 years or more to flower. Remove old leaves and spent flower stems to keep the clump tidy. Offsets can be separated to propagate, though division checks growth. Few pests cause significant damage.

Pruning

Remove dead and damaged outer leaves at the base through the year to keep the rosette tidy. Cut the spent flower stem near the base after flowering and seed fall. The rosette that has flowered dies back and is replaced by offsets, which are left to develop.

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic