Lomandra filiformis
wattle mat-rush
Overview
Lomandra filiformis is a small, tufted, evergreen perennial native to eastern and southern Australia, forming a dense, grassy clump of wiry leaves. The cylindrical to flattened leaves are very narrow, about 0.04 inch (1 mm) wide and 8-20 inches (20-50 cm) long, green to grey-green and arching at the tips. Plants are either male or female, and in spring both carry small flowers on slender wiry stems held among or below the foliage. The flowers are yellow to brownish and the male plants are faintly scented. Female plants set small rounded capsules after flowering. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland on a wide range of well-drained soils, from sandy to clay, and tolerates drought, frost, and poor fertility once established. The clump stays compact and slow-growing, which suits it to low borders and mass plantings. Its small size and thin leaves give it a softer look than larger mat-rushes such as Lomandra longifolia. The flowers are small and easy to miss against the foliage.
Native Range
Native to eastern and southern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania and South Australia. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest and woodland on sandy, loamy, and clay soils.Suggested Uses
Lomandra filiformis is used in native gardens, low borders, rockeries, and mass plantings, and for erosion control on banks where its tolerance of drought and poor soil suits low-maintenance designs. It works as a grassy groundcover and edging in dry, sunny sites. It also suits containers and verge plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'8"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Colors
Bloom Information
Small flowers appear in spring, mainly September to December, on wiry stems held among or below the leaves. Male flowers are faintly scented, while female flowers are followed by small rounded capsules. The flowers are short and easy to overlook.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellow to brownFoliage Description
Green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Lomandra filiformis grows in full sun to part shade in well-drained soils of almost any texture and tolerates drought, frost, and low fertility once established. It needs occasional water while settling in but little afterward. Heavy, permanently wet soils are the main cause of root rot. The clump is slow-growing and rarely needs division. Old or untidy foliage can be cut back hard in late winter to refresh the tuft. It is easily raised from seed or by dividing established clumps.Pruning
Tired or untidy clumps can be cut back to about 4 inches (10 cm) in late winter to remove old leaves and prompt fresh growth. Spent flowering stems can be trimmed at the base. No regular pruning is otherwise needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons