Lomandra longifolia

Lomandra longifolia is a foundational plant for Australian gardens, featuring long, strap-like leaves and scented yellow flower spikes. It is incredibly drought-tolerant and thrives in almost any soil or light condition.

Spiny-headed mat rush (Lomandra longifolia) is a tough tussock that grows naturally along creeks and through forests and heath in eastern Australia. The clumps usually reach about half a metre to a metre high, and the pale, scented flowers appear on branched spikes in spring.

It tolerates full sun to shade, clay or sand, drought and short periods of waterlogging, and the dense roots hold soil well, so it is used on banks and beside creeks. Cut the leaves back hard every few years if the clump gets untidy.