Lomandra Lime Tuff NZ

Lomandra Lime Tuff NZ Information

Lomandra Lime Tuff will grow amazingly well in NZ when looked after properly. These articles provide some useful tips.

How Big Do Lomandra Lime Tuff Grow?

Lomandra Lime Tuff typically matures to a height of 40-60 cm (1.5-2 feet) and a width of 40-60 cm (1.5-2 feet). It is a fast-growing plant that can reach its mature size in 2-3 years.

Is Lomandra Lime Tuff The Best Variety In NZ?

Lomandra Lime Tuff is certainly the most popular planted variety of and well-regarded option, but whether it is the "best" is somewhat subjective. Here are some pro’s and con's to help you decide:

Pros of Lomandra Lime Tuff:

• Grows to a manageable size (40-45cm) making it suitable for smaller gardens or borders.
• It is low maintenance, easy care and drought-tolerant once establised.
• It adapts well to various conditions like sun, partial shade, and most soil types (excluding extremely wet).
• The bright, lime-green foliage adds year-round colour and texture.
• It tolerates frost, wind, and coastal climates.

Cons of Lomandra Lime Tuff:

• The limited size might not be ideal if you need a larger plant for impact.
• It does take time to reach full size compared to some other varieties, though this is months rather than years.
• Many other Lomandra varieties offer different colors, sizes, and textures (e.g., Lomandra White Sands).

Alternatives to consider:

• Lomandra Tanika: Taller (up to 1m) with dark green leaves.
• Lomandra longifolia: Larger variety with more strappy, green leaves.
• Lomandra White Sands: A variegated variety with cream and green foliage. This is a highly aesthetic and popular variety.

Recommendation:

The Plant Company recommends Lomandra Lime Tuff ahead of other varieties when the client is wanting a fresh looking, colourful, and hardy grass. We, along with many other NZ gardeners and landscape designers regard this as one of, if not the best Lomandra variety.

Lomandra Lime Tuff Basic Information

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a compact and reliable ornamental grass that is highly aesthetic. It features lush, lime-green foliage that is held upright with a slight, gentle arch. Some of its key features include:

• Habit: Clumping
• Mature Height: 50 cm (20 inches)
• Spread: 60 cm (24 inches)
• Foliage: Fine, lime green
• Flowers: Small, yellow flower spikes in summer
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Well-drained; tolerates most soil types except for extreme wet
• Water: Drought tolerant once established
• Frost: Tolerant
• Uses: Mass planting, borders, containers, coastal gardens

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is well suited to mass planting, borders, specimen plantings, containers, coastal and modern gardens, and pool areas. It is low maintenance and requires little watering and care once established. It performs well in hot and humid conditions. Overall, it is a great low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of elegance and beauty to any space.

Lomandra Lime Tuff Plant Spacing

How far apart should I plant my Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff' depends on whether you want them to merge or not. That is, if you plant them closer than 50 cm apart, they will grow into each other and become a dense mass of green foliage. If, on the other hand, you want them to become discrete balls and not merge, they will need to be planted at least 75 cm apart. When The Plant Company designs gardens using Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’, we generally have them merging to a limited degree, but with the rounded shape also preserved. The planting distance to achieve that look is 65 cm apart. It will take 2-3 years for the plants to reach the desired size, but it does provide a highly aesthetic display.

Lomandra Lime Tuff Problems

Lomandra Lime Tuff is generally a hardy and low-maintenance plant, but like any living thing, it can encounter some challenges. Here are some common problems you might encounter:

Watering issues: - Overwatering: This is the most common issue. Symptoms include yellowing leaves, wilting, mushy stems, and plants turning black. To remedy, ensure good drainage and reduce your watering frequency. - Underwatering: Wilting leaves that are crispy instead of wilted indicate underwatering.

Nutrient deficiency: - Yellowing or unevenly coloured leaves can indicate a nutrient issue. Apply a balanced fertilizer according to instructions in spring or early summer.

Pests and diseases: - Mealybugs will sometimes infest plants. They suck sap and leave a white, cottony residue. They are easily treated with a general insecticide. - Fungal diseases are rare but can occur in overly damp conditions. Improve drainage and consider using a fungicide.

Other potential issues: - Brown leaf tips are caused by underwatering or overwatering generally. - Slow growth can be due to nutrient deficiency, insufficient light, or root restrictions.

Remember: Early detection and intervention are key for managing any problems. Proper watering, drainage, and nutrient balance are essential for preventing most issues.

What Can I Plant With Lomandra Lime Tuff?

Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ is a versatile and adaptable variety that can be paired with a host of companion plants to create visually appealing and complementary garden arrangements. Here are some suggestions for plants that complement Lomandra well:

• Flaxes: These striking New Zealand natives come in a range of vibrant colors, from deep burgundy to bright green, adding a touch of drama and contrast to the foliage on Lomandra foliage.
• Astelias: These rosette-forming plants with strap-like leaves and attractive flower spikes provide a textural contrast to Lomandra's upright form. Their subtle hues of green, bronze, and red blend harmoniously with Lomandra's foliage.
• Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos spp.): These iconic Australian wildflowers add a burst of color and a touch of whimsy to the landscape. Their velvety flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow complement Lomandra's grassy texture.
• Dwarf Grevilleas: These low-growing shrubs with vibrant foliage and colorful flowers provide a delightful contrast to Lomandra. Their spiky leaves and showy blooms add a touch of elegance and intrigue to the garden.
• Small Grasses (Poa spp., Festuca spp.): These fine-leaved grasses provide a softer contrast to Lomandra's broader leaves, creating a tiered effect. Their delicate forms add a sense of movement and fluidity to the garden.
• Succulents (Echeveria spp., Sempervivum spp.): These drought-tolerant plants add a touch of texture and visual interest to the landscape. Their fleshy leaves and unique shapes provide a pleasing contrast to Lomandra's grassy form.
• Low-growing Flowering Perennials (Dianthus spp., Ajuga spp.): These colorful groundcovers provide a vibrant counterpoint to Lomandra's evergreen foliage. Their cheerful blooms add a touch of whimsy and charm to the garden.
• Bulbs (Freesias, Tulips, Daffodils): These spring-blooming bulbs add a burst of colour and a sense of anticipation to the garden. Their ephemeral beauty complements Lomandra's enduring presence in the landscape.
• Ferns (Adiantum spp., Nephrolepis spp.): These delicate ferns provide a refreshing contrast to Lomandra's upright form. Their soft fronds add a touch of elegance and tranquility to the garden.
• Evergreens (Viburnum spp., Myrtus spp.): These low-growing shrubs provide a backdrop and a sense of structure to Lomandra's presence in the garden.

Why Is My Lomandra Lime Tuff Going Yellow?

There are several reasons why your Lomandra lime tuff might be going yellow:

• Nutritional deficiency: Lomandra lime tuff needs a balanced supply of nutrients to thrive. If your plant is lacking in nitrogen, iron, or magnesium, it may start to develop yellow leaves. This is most likely to occur in plants that have not been fertilized in a while.
• Overwatering: Lomandra lime tuff is a drought-tolerant plant, and it does not like to have its roots constantly wet. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which will cause the leaves to turn yellow and eventually die.
• Poor drainage: If your Lomandra lime tuff is planted in soil that does not drain well, the roots will not be able to get the oxygen they need. This can also lead to root rot and yellowing leaves.
• Pests and diseases: Lomandra lime tuff is susceptible to a few pests and diseases that can cause yellowing leaves. These include:
• Lomandra leaf spot: This fungal disease causes small, circular spots to appear on the leaves. The spots may start as yellow or brown, and they may eventually turn black.
• Phytophthora root rot: This fungal disease causes the roots of the plant to rot. The leaves may start to turn yellow and wilt, and the plant may eventually die.
• Sunburn: Lomandra lime tuff prefers full sun, but if it is suddenly exposed to too much sun, it can get sunburned. Sunburn will cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown.