Libertia are beautiful, ornamental grasses that are favoured for their colourful and stout foliage, compact growth habit, and pretty flowers. They are generally trouble free, easy to grow, and very rewarding. Follow our tips to get the most from your Libertia grandiflora, peregrinans, or formosa plants.
There are many nurseries that have Libertia for sale and often it is a leap of faith when you buy without seeing the plants first. When you buy Libertia plants from The Plant Company you can be assured that we stand behind the quality of our plants. We have produced a few guides in this series to assist you secure the right plants with confidence.
Everything you need to know about Libertia is covered in our comprehensive suite of articles about Libertia. We pride ourselves on providing expert advice to accompany our plants so you get the best result possible. Let The Plant Company impress you with both our quality and service. Our impressive Google Rating shows we are excellent at what we do! Feel free to explore our Libertia varieties and be impressed!
The list of Libertia that The Plant Company has cataloged, worked on, propagated, and marketed is broad. Our database of Libertia varieties is listed below:
The Plant Company has the best Libertia plants in NZ that are both competitively priced and of fantastic quality. Accompanying this, we have a suite of articles that covers everything you need to know about growing Libertia. Our goal is for you to achieve awesome results and to impress you both with our quality and service. Our impressive Google Rating shows we are good at what we do!
A cheap Libertia plant usually comes in a very small pot and has both small foliage and small roots. The small plant can be appealing when you are on a budget, however, think of such plants like babies. They only have a small root system so they need careful attention to watering. They are also more vulnerable to disease such as dieback, and our article, Libertia Plant Dieback, explains how devasting this disease can be. The Plant Company therefore recommends you only buy plants in a 1.5L pot or bigger to have the greatest chance of success, even if you are on a budget. Any savings by buying small are lost when they die and you have to replace them! Moreover, the plants need to be “chunky”, have a strong root system, and show no signs of disease. Be sure to check out our range of Libertia varieties so you are buying the best plants at a competitive price.
Buying quality plants can be a challenge at times. However, The Plant Company makes this job easy by offering a comprehensive range of high quality Libertia varieties. We appreciate that buying online is somewhat of a leap of faith given you are putting your trust in us. Therefore, we only ship plants that we would happily buy and plant ourselves. We propagate and nurture plants ready for their new home, and take pride in exceeding our customers expectations. Our impressive Google Rating shows we are good at what we do!
The Plant Company has a large-scale production nursery and offers a comprehensive range of Libertia varieties. If you are after bulk lots of plants, please be sure to contact us for pricing and availability. Our talented staff can not only manage all aspects of getting the plants to you, but any other plant related enquiries you may have. Our impressive Google Rating shows we are good at what we do!
The Plant Company offers a comprehensive range of Libertia varieties. We appreciate that buying online is somewhat of a leap of faith, given you are putting your trust in us. Please rest assured that we only ship plants that we would happily buy and plant ourselves. Trust in The Plant Company to supply your Libertia needs and allow us to impress you both with our quality and service. Our impressive Google Rating shows we are good at what we do!
Providing the best fertiliser for Libertia is important to ensure the plants thrive. The correct fertiliser depends on whether the plant is grown in a pot or in soil, and getting this wrong can be disastrous for your plants. Our articles provide the best advice about fertiliser for Libertia so you can achieve the amazing results you are after.
Libertia require feeding to keep them growing optimally. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser has been blended to give plants the boost they need and then sustained nutrition for the next 12 months. It is perfect for Libertia.
We recommend the fertiliser is applied to the soil surface in spring just as the plants start to grow actively. More importantly, we advise that no fertiliser is placed in the hole at planting, but rather spread around the soil surface so it can wash through the roots as it releases. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser ensures that nutrients remain in the soil around the plant rather than being lost through the soil profile to where the plant cannot reach it. This also applies to plants grown on sandy soils. The Plant Company’s Native Plant Fertiliser is therefore very environmentally friendly and longer lasting than most other products in the market.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if Native Plant Fertiliser has been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have poor colouring, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush.
Libertia grown in containers require different fertiliser to those grown outdoors in soil. In this instance the correct fertiliser to use is either container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets. Each of these will provide safe, sustained, and complete nutrition to the plant for the next 12-months. Using other types of fertilisers can be detrimental to the plant and may result in plant injury or death.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets have been used. If you think the plant needs an extra boost or has some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it.
Libertia are showy plants that require feeding to keep them looking amazing. A lot of articles have all sorts of advice on this subject which often requires multiple applications so you use more of their products. The Plant Company prefers to take a simpler and more environmentally responsible approach. We believe the best organic option is The Plant Company organic fertiliser which is applied in spring and again in autumn and will keep them well fed. You can safely apply generous amounts of this fertiliser without risk of injuring the plants. More details about this organic fertiliser are provided with the product.
The soil pH refers to how acid or alkaline the soil is. Libertia prefer a soil pH within the range of 6.2 to 7.5 which means they will tolerate both acidic and semi-alkaline soils. As the pH of the soil moves away from this optimum range, the nutrients the plant is taking up (or not taking up) through the roots changes. If the shift in pH is too far, this can result in deficiencies of some nutrients and toxic levels of others. In either case this can cause the plant to become sick or even die a slow death.
The best way to know whether the pH is correct for your plant is to do a test. The Plant Company has pH test kits available that are easy to use and only take a few minutes to get a result. Preferably this test should be completed before planting so any pH issues can be corrected without risking the plant. A pH less 6.2 should have sparing amounts of dolomite lime applied along with Native Plant Fertiliser. A pH above 7.5 should have small amounts of soil acidifying fertiliser applied. In both instances the fertiliser should be thoroughly mixed into the soil before planting. A retest of the soil pH should be undertaken after four weeks and small adjustments made again. If the pH is in the optimum range, just use Native Plant Fertiliser thereafter.
Libertia care is about making sure the plants are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into planting for them to fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success.
Libertia are not fast growers, but tend to double in size each year. The key is to start with strong and healthy plants at the outset. Be sure to check out the The Plant Company's amazing Libertia varieties.
Most Libertia will reach 30-40 cm tall and wide but this obviously depends on the variety and the growing environment. The Plant Company has put a lot of effort into determining how big each variety will grow in an unrestricted growing environment. Far too often we see people planting a garden too densely and then having to spend a lot of time trimming or removing plants later. This is something we want our customers to avoid and we therefore provide size information for each variety listed so the planning can be right from the start. Be sure to check out our range and the detailed information that accompanies each of our Libertia varieties.
The most important part starts with planting, and our article, How To Plant A Libertia, provides sound advice on how to do this properly. So, let’s now assume your plant is growing well and you want to keep it that way!
Winter is the perfect time for mulching your plants. Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with mulch. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes. The Plant Company does not recommend adding fertiliser during winter as this is better applied in spring so less is wasted. However, adding organic matter such as compost is quite okay.
Spring is the perfect time for fertilising the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our Native Plant Fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.
Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every second or third day on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet.
Caring for Libertia in autumn is about keeping the plants healthy. Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken during spring, summer, and autumn if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt.
Plants should be checked for pest or disease issues during spring, summer, and autumn. If anything is looking a little bit unusual, refer to our articles under Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting.
Caring for Libertia in autumn is all about weed control and keeping the plants healthy. Keeping the weeds down around the plant and removing poor looking leaves will help keep the plants tidy.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have previously been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong which will aid the plant immensely as it shoots new growth in spring. You can apply Native Plant Fertiliser but this should only be done it if can be watered in well.
Finally, monitor for pests and diseases, and if anything is looking a little bit unusual, refer to our articles under Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting.
Spring is the perfect time for fertilising and mulching around the plants as they start to bounce into life. The Plant Company has fertilisers which have been specially blended for different plants and in this instance, our Native Plant Fertiliser will give them the correct boost and keep them fed for 12-months. A suitable alternative is our organic fertiliser which will also keep them well fed but they will require a secondary application in autumn.
Organic matter such as compost or sheep pellets should be spread liberally around the plants and then overlaid with a mulch (if not done already) during winter or spring. The Plant Company recommends an organic mulch is used as this breaks down over time to provide nutrients and improves the soil. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommend stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have already been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser won’t hurt. If anything is looking a little bit unusual, refer to our articles under Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting.
Summer is when the plants need regular watering and this should be undertaken every 3-4 days on the hottest days. Plants that are establishing need particular attention as their root system will not have penetrated deep enough to secure consistent moisture yet. Don’t be fooled that even though they will tolerate extended dry periods, that they won’t benefit from being watered.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have previously been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and encourages more foliage as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it. Please note: The Plant Company does not recommend using solid fertilisers at this time of year unless plenty of water can be applied.
The other required activities for Libertia during summer are weed control and monitoring for pests and diseases. Keeping the weeds down around the plant will produce a better plant overall. If anything is looking a little bit unusual, refer to our articles under Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting.
Caring for Libertia in winter is all about weed control and keeping the plants healthy. Keeping the weeds down around the plant and removing poor looking leaves will help keep the plants tidy.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time but this is not essential if solid fertiliser and/or good amounts of organic matter have previously been applied. If you think the plants need an extra boost or have some yellowing, however, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong which will aid the plant immensely as it shoots new growth in spring. You can apply Native Plant Fertiliser but this should only be done it if can be watered in well.
Finally, monitor for pests and diseases, and if anything is looking a little bit unusual, refer to our articles under Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting.
A wide range of plants can be grown with Libertia. The Plant Company often recommends using flaxes and Astelias to bring in different colours, textures, and heights for mass plantings. This avoids what could otherwise become a green carpet. Some popular flax options include Black Rage, Veneer, Yellow Wave, and Dark Delight.
Specimen trees such as Flowering Cherries and Maples are often used with Libertia plantings. The Libertia in this instance serve to accentuate the specimen tree, and provide elegance in their own right.
The good thing about Libertia is that they are versatile and blend easily with most plant colours and textures in a subtle and non-overpowering manner.
Libertia do have problems and disease issues from time to time. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying issue(s) and have the remedies to fix the problem. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to help you in the quest for answers to address common Libertia problems and diseases.
Small amounts of dead tissue at the ends of older leaves on Libertia is common. It is generally the result of over-watering or the plants having endured a prolonged period of wet. The leaf tips can be trimmed using scissors and this won’t affect the plant. The longer-term solution is to reduce watering, improve drainage, or both.
Grass weeds can really only be controlled in Libertia via one of two ways. The first approach is to paint glyphosate onto leaves of the rouge grass. This requires a lot of patience but is very effective. The second method is to dig out the Libertia, remove the weed inclusions, and then put the plant back. The Plant Company recommends following the advice in the article, How To Mulch Around Libertia to reduce weeds returning.
Leaf death from the leaf tip on Libertia is often caused by either over-watering or drought stress. Rapid onset can be caused by Phytophthora and is discussed in the article, Libertia Plant Dieback. Minor tip death can be trimmed off with scissors if it in unsightly, but the longer-term solution is to address the drainage or watering as relevant.
Libertia do not suffer from pest issues as a general rule. We have seen the odd mealy bug on plants in the nursery but not at levels that would justify spraying them. That said, if pest levels are high and of concern, then a general insecticide can be used for their control. Please always read the label before using any agrichemical.
The most common disease problem with Libertia is root rot, which is caused by the fungi, Phytophthora. Phytophthora attacks the roots and causes the plant to eventually die. The tell-tale symptoms are yellowing of the leaves, which then brown, and collapse. This can happen over several months during any season, and occur quickly. This is all resulting from the root system being progressively weakened by the pathogen. Gardeners will often mistakenly think the plant needs more water as leave start failing. Unfortunately, adding water only accelerates the problem as prolonged wetness was generally the cause in the first place.
The best solution to this issue is good drainage. Often the disease will start to show several weeks after a prolonged rain event. It can also occur when plants are regularly over-watered. Therefore, good drainage is essential and sites where drainage is poor should be avoided.
Treatment for Phytophthora can be a hit and miss exercise as there are no silver bullets. However, if picked up early, The Plant Company has experienced some success using Transformer. Transformer does have fungicidal properties and when used as a soil drench 2-3 times, plants can bounce back. However, if the plant is too far gone, The Plant Company recommends removing the plant entirely, and using Transformer as a soil drench before putting in a new plant. Of course, the drainage or watering issues will need to be addressed so the problem does not manifest again.
Nutritional issues can occur from time to time if plants have not been fed for a number of years. This often shows up as discoloured foliage, which, over time will show dead areas on the leaf. A liquid fertiliser can be used to correct issues quickly and should be supported with Native Plant Fertiliser during spring.
Leaf yellowing in Libertia is commonly caused by Libertia Phytophthora, poor drainage, or too much shade. Occasionally, nutritional issues can occur if plants have not been fed for a number of years, and this presents as discoloured foliage. A liquid fertiliser can be used to correct issues quickly and should be supported with Native Plant Fertiliser during spring.
If the new growth on your Libertia has been killed or damaged by frost, trim off the damaged leaves after the risk of frost has passed. Frost cloth or a blanket may be used to afford protection from further frosts. It is important not to cut off the frosted growth until the risk has passed as this growth, albeit ugly, is helping to shield the plant from further damage.
New shoots tend to be more prone to frost damage than older ones. For this reason, The Plant Company does not recommend applying fertiliser of any kind to plants between mid-autumn and late-winter as this can create softer shoots that are more susceptible to frost.
Libertia will fail to flower if they have endured stress, as the stress usually causes the flowers to abort. For example, Libertia grown in shade will often not have the reserves to put energy into flowers. Similarly, if plants have endured too much moisture they will often not flower. On the other hand, moisture stress (i.e., being dry) coupled with bright light tends to make them flower prolifically.
Planting Libertia and getting them to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil type, choosing the most ideal planting position, selecting the right variety, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to ensure success when you are growing a Libertia.
Libertia are very easy to grow, but you need to have the basics right. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. The soil should be well prepared with organic matter added from either compost or sheep pellets mixed in. Feeding your plants in spring with Native Plant Fertiliser will replenish nutrients and keep them fed for 12 months. They should also be watered regularly during extended dry periods to keep them flourishing.
We have prepared specific articles to help you grow amazing Libertia: How To Plant A Libertia, How To Trim A Libertia, Best Fertiliser For Libertia, When To Water Libertia, How To Mulch Around Libertia, and Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting. Enjoy!
The short answer is yes. Libertia are generally regarded as being semi-drought tolerant owing to their fibrous and deep penetrating root system. These are the perfect characteristics of plants for erosion control. Such properties also make them well suited for public spaces where they may be trampled from time to time and become exposed to prolonged dry and heat.
Libertia can take a heavy frost once established, though very young plants should be protected until they are at least 10 cm tall. Frost Cloth is a good option for protecting vulnerable plants if you are worried. Be careful to harden off recently purchased plants if you intend to plant these during winter and frosts are likely. Do this by gradually exposing them to the cooler conditions over a 2-3 week period or until such time as you think that a frost won’t damage them. The Plant Company recommends holding off planting until spring if you are at all worried that new plants might get frosted.
If plants do get frosted, they will generally recover. However, you will need to protect them from further frosts as this could kill them completely. Generally speaking, a good sized Libertia planted in spring will cope with frosts the following winter.
Soils rich in fertility and organic matter that are well-drained will produce amazing Libertia. The soil should be well prepared with either compost or sheep pellets mixed in at planting, or spread on the soil surface after planting. It is important that the soil being planted into won’t restrict root growth and for this reason, clay and heavy soils are not suited to Libertia. Clay soils also tend to be very wet which will negatively impact the performance of the plant. A little test that can be done is to dig the hole, fill it with water before the plant goes in, and leave it for 30 minutes. If the water is still in the hole, you will need to address the drainage before planting.
Feeding your Libertia plants in spring with Native Plant Fertiliser will replenish nutrients and keep them fed for 12 months. Liberal amounts of organic fertiliser can also be used. Do ensure that plants are watered regularly during dry periods to keep them flourishing.
Libertia can cope with coastal environments provided they are not routinely covered in salt spray. Being constantly coated can result in leaf burning and the plant eventually failing. Similarly, if the soil is too saline, this can also prove detrimental to the plants and result in them becoming stunted. If you elect to plant in this environment, The Plant Company recommends ensuring the soil is well prepared with organic matter such as compost, and regularly water during dry periods.
Libertia can be grown in pots and they look amazing when managed appropriately. Libertia peregrinans and Libertia grandiflora are the two varieties most commonly grown this way. In tiny pots, Libertia "Grasshopper" makes for an interesting show.
Choose a pot that is no more than twice the size of what the Libertia is currently growing in and that has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom of the pot to about 1/3 of the way up with potting mix. Do not use soil or compost when growing plants in a container and do not add fertiliser. The Plant Company potting mix has all the nutrients required to sustain the plant for the next 12 months.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots are bound up, you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. The Plant Company does not advise cutting through roots, even if the plant is rootbound, as that injures this particular plant.
Place the plant in the pot, add more potting mix, and firm this around the plant using gentle pressure, then water well. They should be watered at least twice a week during hot weather and weekly or fortnightly during cooler periods.
The key to having an amazing Libertia in a pot is to both keep it fed correctly (see the article, Best Fertiliser For Libertia Grown In A Container) and avoid over-watering (see the article When To Water Libertia).
The answer to this question depends on how much shade. In heavily shaded conditions, such as under a dense tree canopy, Libertia tend to become “leggy” or “floppy” as the leaves compete with each other for light. At the same time, the leaves tend to have dark green tones and flowering performance is reduced. In full sun they tend to be more compact, denser, with brighter colouring in the foliage, and better flowering. That said, they will perform well even if they get only four hours of direct sun per day, or high levels of speckled sunlight throughout the day.
The short answer to this question is no. In such circumstances they will develop disease issues and fail to perform. The article, Libertia Plant Dieback, explains what can happen to Libertia on wet soils. Rather, Libertia prefer well-drained soils, so wet conditions are the worst thing for them. Better options for wet areas are Juncus or Apodasmia.
Libertia owe their popularity to not just their aesthetics, but also to their versatility. They are commonly mass planted on banks, used to border paths and gardens, or included where a hardy plant is desired. They are well suited to planting around living areas, pool, and barbecue areas where they provide a fresh or colourful appeal is desired. As the flowers emerge you see the plants transform into a stunning display. The stout foliage is fantastic for providing elegance and texture to a planting. The Plant Company often uses them as a foundation planting for specimen trees or plants them to accentuate an entrance. They can be included in most garden styles with ease, and make for an exciting addition. However, to get the most impressive shows, they do need to be mass planted. Explore The Plant Company's range of Libertia varieties to find the one(s) that will suit your design needs!
Libertia make okay ground covering plants. Whilst they have a low growing and spreading nature, the openness of the foliage can allow weeds to establish. However, on dry soils they can be very effective as they will take away the moisture that weed seedlings need to establish. Other options for ground covering plants can include Muehlenbeckia, Carex, or Dwarf Toe Toe.
Libertia spreads via roots that send up new shoots from below the soil surface. They do this more prolifically on soils where the roots can spread, such as sandy or stoney soils. On clay or compacted soils, it is harder for the roots to penetrate, therefore the plants tend to spread less rapidly. By way of example, on sandy soils a single Libertia peregrinans plant may spread 50 cm inside of two years but just 15 cm on a compacted soil.
Libertia look amazing when mass planted and are perfect for both banks, borders, entrances, and planting around larger trees and shrubs. The question about how far apart depends on whether the fully grown state has a gap between plants, whether they are to merge into each other, and finally the variety. By way of example, Libertia grandiflora grown to be distinct plants should be spaced at least 90 cm apart. If they are to merge, a spacing of 60 cm is recommended. For a variety such as Libertia "Gold Finger", space at 50-60 cm for distinct plants, and 30-40 cm for merging.
Choose a full sun or partial shade position with good drainage for your Libertia. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread Native Plant Fertiliser on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
We have prepared specific articles to help you grow amazing Libertia: How To Plant A Libertia, How To Trim A Libertia, Best Fertiliser For Libertia, When To Water Libertia, How To Mulch Around Libertia, and Libertia Issues And Troubleshooting. Enjoy!
Placing mulch around Libertia helps keep the soil moist and significantly reduces weeds. The Plant Company recommends an organic mulch is used as this breaks down over time to provide nutrients and improves the soil. It is also better for the environment than the plastic-based alternatives. Whatever type of mulch is used, it needs to be free draining so the soil can “breathe” and allow water to penetrate quickly and easily. Heavy rates of lawn clippings are therefore not a good option as they hold too much moisture. The Plant Company has three very good options for mulch. The first is coco fibre matting which is made from the husks of coconuts. The second is Earth Mat which is made from recycled paper. Both of these break down to become part of the soil within two years. The third is black plastic matting which will last 20 years or more. Whichever mulch is used, The Plant Company recommends stones, bark chip, or other similar products be spread over top for aesthetic purposes.
Compost is not considered an effective mulch as weeds germinate easily and it is only short lasting. It is, however, a very good method of adding organic matter to the soil and should be applied before the mulch is put down.
Choose a full sun position with good drainage for your Libertia plant. The hole should be dug to at least 50-75% deeper and wider than the container the plant is currently growing in. A planting spade makes the hole digging a lot easier. The Plant Company recommends incorporating compost or sheep pellets into the soil to provide additional organic material, but this is not essential. Do not put fertiliser in the bottom of the hole, rather spread that on the soil surface after planting, and preferably do this when the plant is actively growing in spring.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or by cutting the bag. We recommend cutting the bag, especially for larger grade plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots are bound up, you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. The Plant Company does not advise cutting through roots, even if the plant is rootbound, as that injures this particular plant.
Now place the plant in the hole and make sure it is level with the soil surface before filling in around it. If it is above the soil surface, dig more out. If it is below, put in more soil and retest the level. Once the plant is set level with the soil surface, add more soil gradually and firm it around the plant using gentle pressure as you go. Scatter Native Plant Fertiliser across the soil surface after planting and then give the plant a good watering.
The short answer is no. Libertia varieties grow as a clump and do put out roots that enable them to colonise larger areas. However, they are not considered an invasive plant as they can be easily dominated by other species.
The Plant Company has a range of Libertia varieties and the choice depends on the what the plant is to be used for. The most common uses are for mass planting, adding to a mixed planting, or for planting around outdoor living areas such as pools and the like.
The Plant Company recommends the following varieties based on their popularity and suitability for different uses:
Growing in a container: Libertia peregrinans or Libertia grandiflora
Mass planting: Libertia peregrinans, Libertia grandiflora, Libertia formosa, or Libertia ixioides
Mixed planting: Libertia grandiflora, Libertia "Taupo Sunset", or Libertia ixioides.
Outdoor living areas: Libertia peregrinans, Libertia grandiflora, or Libertia "Grasshopper".
Moderate shade: Libertia grandiflora.
Be sure to check out The Plant Company's amazing range of Libertia varieties to find the one(s) that will suit your needs.
The most common alternatives to Libertia are dwarf flaxes, Liriopes, Astelia, and Dianella. The leaf colouring, plant form, and growing requirements are similar for some of the varieties of those plants.
Only potting mix should be used when plants are grown in a container. Often people will try and cut corners and use soil or mixes that contain both soil and potting mix with poor results. The same applies to when plants are potted up with compost as it holds too much moisture. Soil also contains weeds and tends to become compacted in a container, hence why it is not used in this manner. The Plant Company has nursery grade potting media which is pre-loaded with the correct amounts of fertiliser and micro-nutrients to keep the plant sustained with nutrition and actively growing for the next 12-months. After 12-months, simply add a couple fertiliser tablets to keep the plant fed for the next 12-months.
The Plant Company considers Libertia formosa and Libertia grandiflora to be the hardiest of the Libertia varieties. We base this off the survival rates following planting, and the lack of issues in the nursery.
Libertia are best planted from mid-autumn until late spring. During this time, they can cope with the stresses associated with planting (root damage mainly) more easily than if they have to also cope with heat and moisture stress as well. They can be planted in summer provided they are well-watered and the roots have plenty of growing media attached when planted. If watering is a challenge, The Plant Company advises planting any time from late-autumn through until early-spring. Make sure you have a good planting spade to make this job a lot easier.
A full sun position with good drainage is essential for getting the best results with Libertia. On poorly drained sites or with over-watering they tend to become stunted and sickly looking. This can cause and result in root rot issues that may eventually kill the plant if drainage is very poor. If you think this might be a problem for you, please refer to the article, Libertia Diseases.
In shaded conditions Libertia tend to become “leggy” or “floppy” as the leaves compete with each other for light. In full sun they tend to be more compact and have better flowering. Libertia can tolerate wind so shelter is not necessary.
Propagating Libertia is a relatively straightforward process when you have the right advice. They are easily reproduced and our articles give you the best chance of doing this successfully and efficiently.
Libertia are easily propagated by division. Established plants are simply broken apart with roots still attached. This task is usually undertaken in either spring or autumn, with the plants potted up using growing media for several weeks before planting out again. Take care not to make plants too small as they must have plenty of roots to successfully re-establish.
Decisions about when to trim a Libertia, how to cut them back, and how hard, and even how to do this task can be daunting for the novice gardener. The Plant Company have produced this series of articles to provide advice for trimming Libertia so you can manicure your plants with confidence and success.
Most Libertia varieties will sprout new shoots when cut right back, even close to ground level. However, this relies on the plant having heathy shoots at the outset. This activity is best undertaken during spring or summer using secateurs. Please note: Libertia grown in shade environments or suffering from disease or nutritional deficiencies may struggle to re-establish when cut back severely.
Libertia are generally only trimmed to remove unsightly leaves or cut back more aggressively to rejuvenate or control a plant. This is best done during spring or summer when plants are moving to active growth. Aggressive trimming usually involves cutting plants back to 5-10 cm above the soil level. Libertia are very forgiving plants and even if you get the trimming wrong, they will generally recover! Unfortunately, there is always a risk of plants dying after such aggressive trimming. This will sometimes occur if the plants were diseased or suffering nutritional deficiencies ahead of trimming. In these cases, the plants just don’t have the energy to resume active growth.
Light trimming can involve cutting the brown tips off plants, cutting out yellow or sickly-looking leaves, or even thinning out the shoots. This can be done at any time.
Libertia can be trimmed at any time of the year, though spring is the time recommended by The Plant Company for any aggressive cutting back. The plants sprout from the base and at this time of year the risk of frost should have passed, and they are ready to bounce into active growth with the warming weather.
Light trimming to remove unsightly foliage can occur at any time of year.
Watering Libertia correctly is an important part of growing amazing plants. Importantly, making sure they get enough without being over-watered is paramount. Our articles provide the know-how on this subject.
Libertia require good levels of soil moisture during dry periods to stay fresh and keep growing actively. They are generally regarded as being tolerant of dry periods but will benefit from watering both during establishment and during extended dry. The Plant Company recommends a generous watering every third day during summer, or every fifth day if the soil is a bit heavier. If plants start to droop, you need to water immediately. The Plant Company advises watering in the morning or in the evening for water conservation purposes. Please be sure to read the article, Libertia Diseases, as over-watering can have unintended consequences!
During extended dry periods Libertia may stop growing to preserve themselves. This is clearly not desirable if you are still wanting them to grow. They will start growing again once rain or water is provided, and provided they have not been allowed to totally desiccate.
If the Libertia is being grown in a pot, watering 2-3 times a week during summer and once a fortnight during winter is the general rule. This will depend on how hot the growing environment is and the size of the plant, of course.
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