Dianella nigra

Dianella nigra, the New Zealand Blueberry or New Zealand Flaxlily, is an attractive small grass-like clump-forming flaxlily resembling a miniature Phormium. It has tiny greenish-white flowers borne on long thin stalks that are followed by small ovoid blue-grey or blue-purple berries. Although called New Zealand Blueberry these berries are inedible.

It is found in a wide variety of habitats in its native New Zealand from coastal wetlands and low bush and scrubland through to dense forest. It is fast-growing and forms a low dense clump that is particularly effective when planted in small groups that slowly spread into each other by their rhizomes to form an attractive green grassy mat.

The flowers are tiny, short-lived and often missed and the berries - though attractive and unusual - are also relatively insignificant. It is for its lush strappy grass-like foliage and diminutive clumping habit that it is principally grown.