Finescape Mat Rush

Lomandra confertifolia 'Finescape'

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on 80% ETo in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on High irrigation in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

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.

This cultivar of Australian dwarf mat rush only achieved moderately acceptable appearance in our trials on the two higher irrigation treatments near the end of the second year (Table 7a). While one to a few plants on the two higher treatments rose to the level of acceptable or very good, the performance was inconsistent across the field and within treatments and showed no statistical difference in any month.  This tracks with online sources from Australia which recommend cultivars of this species in shadier, more pampered locations when planted in hot inland locations.  There was no significant difference in growth between treatments.

Open House participant ratings for the species were comparable to those collected by trials staff, but there was a wide range between the minimum and maximum ratings, particularly in the last two events. Comments left by participants supporting this mixed reaction included “[a] stunning plant,” “a bit of green – nothing interesting,” and “too wimpy.” Participants also rated the floral structure highly or did not recognize it as such and recorded a 0 for no flowers (Table 7b).

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on 50% ETo in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on 50% ETo in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

Basic Info

Submitted by:Ball Ornamentals
Sites(s):UC Davis
Trial Exposure:Sun
Year evaluated:2017
Height & Width (after 2 years):14" x 19"
Reported Height & Width (at maturity):12-24" x 12-24"
WUCOLS plant type:P
Water Needs & WUCOLS Region:Low - Region 2 
Mean Overall  Appearance rating:
(1-5 Scale, 5 is highest)
2.2 
Flowering Months:August-September

Growth and Quality Data

Click Here for Complete Data Set

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on 20% ETo in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.

Lomandra confertifolia ‘Finescape’ on Low irrigation in October 2017. Photo: SK Reid.