Media Article
Garden Gurus Magazine
Summer 2008
Grasstrees
Trevor Cochrane
It is hard to imagine a plant more Australian
than the grasstree (Xanthorrhoea).
They have evolved over many years to be incredibly hardy. Grasstrees can handle droughts and extreme temperatures from bush fires that burn the trunk black. There are many different varieties throughout Australia, and they grow in all sorts of different conditions from water-logged grounds to areas without rainfall for many years.
Today they are exported extensively across the world and, in 2006, 2007 and 2008, they were the main feature plant in the Australian gold medal award-winning entries at the Chelsea Flower Show in the UK.
The incredible grasstree has evolved over millions of years to handle our hot, dry climate and, individually, they can live for hundress of years or even a thousand years. Some grasstrees stand at about 6m tall! There are different species from across Australia and while the Western Australian Xanthorrhoea preissii is possibly the most acclaimed internationally because of its extensive exporting, X. glauca, which is found endemically in New South Wales, is possibly the most sought after, as it is the quickest growing species with a beautiful blue tinge to the foliage.
The sad thing is the grasstree is becoming endangered because of housing development expansion, but you can play your part in having a grasstree beauty that might live for hundreds of years in your garden.
Before you think about packing up the spade and digging them out of the bush - be aware you can't do it, because it is illegal. However, you can buy one from a licensed salvage specialist like Grasstrees Australia and play your part in their conservation. Specialists are very careful when they take these plants out of the ground and this will guarantee success when you transplant them into your garden.
Surrounding the roots are a microbial fungi called mycorrhiza which assist the root's function by providing them with nutrients and allowing them to take up nutrients better. If you do buy a tree, one important thing to do is to make sure the mycorrhiza grows quickly and this will keep your tree looking great.
Getting your hands on these stunning and unique feature plants is as easy as an Internet search these days, and within hours you can have your own ancient Aussie floral feature. They grow well in pots as well as in free-draining soils, and grow well alongside other natives and a wide range of exotics.
When it does flower, it produces spikes, which can grow up to 2m and eventually turn brown. These spikes were once used by Aboriginal people as hunting spears, and are ideal for developing a barb suitable for fishing.
Grasstrees are ancient Aussies which deserve a place in our landscape. They cost more to establish in your garden but they are an unmistakable feature that will last forever and hardly use any water.
All About Grasstrees
- The trunk takes a decade to form initially, then another 20 years or more before the mass of thin, linear leaves rises above it. Then, it grows only about 1cm-2cm in height per year.
- The tree attracts a wide range of lizards and insects. They love to shelter in the foliage.
- The genus name Xanthorrhoea is derived from the Green words xanthos (yellow) and rheo (flowing), and describes the yellowish gum commonly found on the plants. This gum was used by Aboriginal people to attach heads to their spears. The early white settlers used the gum as a substitute lacquer and varnish.
- There are 15 species of grasstrees.
- Its lifespan has been calculated at 600 years, although it's not uncommon to find multi-branched forms of the Western Australian X.preissii species to live for approximately 1,000 years.
