Best-selling strappies and grasses 2024-25
By Daniel Fuller
Ozbreed has analysed sales data on all grasses and other strappy monocot sales from the last financial year to shortlist the best-selling varieties based on number of units sold. This information can help wholesale and production nurseries add heavy-hitters to their stock lists. Remember that these plants are often specified in bulk for mass planting applications, so they can be high earners.
It will probably come as no surprise that Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ Trade Name Tanika® is Ozbreed’s top-selling strappy monocot. In fact, it is our top-selling plant in any category after a couple of decades’ worth of proven performance in non-humid climates. This is the go-to fine-leafed lomandra throughout most of Australia. Look out for the new improved ‘LM604’ variety.
Cenchrus purpurascens ‘PA300’ Trade Name Nafray® is an Australian grass formerly classified in the Pennisetum genus. It is non-weedy and tough as nails, thriving in bioswales and other difficult applications. It is one of the best erosion-controllers we have ever tested, providing 475 per cent shear soil strength compared with bare soil in a 2007 study (Layt, Paananen).
Dianella caerulea ‘DCMP01’ Trade Name Little Jess™ provides a lush, green sward with short, tidy canes. Unlike other varieties, these canes are less noticeable if they are not removed after fruiting, significantly reducing maintenance.
Dianella tasmanica ‘TR20’ Trade Name Tasred® is another Australian flax that sells massive volume. It has attractive red tones at the base of the foliage which can be more pronounced in colder climates. Not suitable for humid environments. This variety thrives in moderately heavy shade to full sun, so it is a great buffer plant along boundaries that receive a lot more sun during summer than they do in winter.
Dianella revoluta ‘DR5000’ Trade Name Little Rev™ displays attractive glaucous foliage with a strong architectural form. Avoid humidity and wet feet for best results. It requires almost no maintenance once established besides optional deadheading.
Dianella caerulea ‘DCNCO’ Trade Name Breeze® has a similar appearance to Little Jess™ Dianella in a larger form. With tidy canes that seemingly disappear after fruiting has finished, this variety is exceptionally low maintenance. Like Little Jess™ Dianella, this variety spreads with rhizomes to fill gaps.
The trade names in this list will be easily recognisable to many reading this article due to extensive specification in Australian commercial landscapes. Ozbreed invests heavily into marketing our cultivars, and nurseries in our Ozbreed Easy Access (OEA) program can take advantage of the demand by adding any missing varieties to their stock list. Do not forget about those varieties doing smaller numbers, because there can be opportunities to plug a gap that other nurseries may have overlooked.
Daniel Fuller
Ozbreed Planting Strategist
M: 0426 169 708
E: Horticulture@ozbreed.com.au
W: ozbreed.com.au