Lomandra longifolia 'Lomlon'

Summary

UC Davis is located in Davis, California, this site has a silty clay loam soil and plants are irrigated with potable water. More information about the field sites is located in the Nuts & Bolts section.

Trial Results - 50% Shade (2015)

We will note here that this plant’s genetics are controversial, and it is currently marketed under both the names ‘Lime Tough’ and ‘Lime Tuff’.  We previously evaluated this cultivar in full sun when it was being marketed under the name ‘Bushland Green’, and it received high marks, especially on the lowest irrigation level.  The American patent holder wanted to see how it would perform in shade as well. The most notable difference was that the form became less stiffly upright and more relaxed and fountain-form in the shade, while the color was also a somewhat deeper lime green.  The plants consistently received high overall ratings scores on all treatments, with the lowest irrigation level once again scoring marginally highest (Table 15).  No significant differences in size between treatments were found.  The ability to thrive in sun or shade on any irrigation level makes this Lomandra one of the most adaptable plants to the landscape that we have evaluated.

Trial Results - Sun (2014)

There is some controversy over the parentage and naming of this dwarf mat rush cultivar, but we received it under this cultivar name from Ball Ornamentals who now market it under the name ‘Lime Tough’. This grass-like plant was a standout in our trials for its consistent good looks and bright chartreuse green color throughout almost the entire year. It has a stiff, upright fountain-form habit and reached a height of 3’ 2” (96.7 cm) in our trials with an average width of 31” (79 cm). All plants were cut down with a hedge trimmer in February 2014 to a height of 2- 3” (5 cm), and all dead foliage and flower spikes were removed. An unusual feature of this plant is the spiky flower heads held below the top of the foliage within the plant, which some find interesting and some disagreeable, but all agree trimming the plant is a proposition to be undertaken only with leather gloves. There were no significant differences in relative growth between treatments, nor were the quality ratings largely different. The highest average annual overall quality ratings were on the lowest two treatments while the highest flowering rating was at 40% of ET0. We feel this would be an excellent low-water landscape feature where a strong structural element and a splash of lime green were needed.

Close-up of Lomandra ‘Bushland Green’ foliage and flower spikes. Photo: SK Reid

Growth and Quality Data

Click Here for Complete Data Set - 2014 (Sun)

Click Here for Complete Data Set - 2015 (50% Shade)

Lomandra ‘Bushland Green’ in October 2014 on 20% of ET0. Photo: SK Reid.