The Xanthorrhoea species, commonly known
as Grass Trees, is a very old Australian native plant, some
of which are over 1000 years old.
Young Grass Trees are slow to mature from seed and grow
slowly at the rate of about 9mm per year so a one metre
specimen is well over 100 years old. The trunk of the Grass
Trees are often burnt by naturally occurring bushfires.
This burning does not affect the tree as the trunk itself
is very tough and, in fact, the black colour enhances the
appearance of these lovely specimens.
A flower spike emerges from the centre of the Grass Tree
and winds its way up to the light, sometimes very straight
and sometimes with twists and turns with little white flowers
that attract the bees and the birds with the high honey
content. The Australian Aboriginals often used various parts
of the Grass Tree in their everyday life by way of rosin
and colouring agents and of course the dead leaves for easy
fire lighting or for making brooms.
The Grass Trees can be transplanted only with expert care
at harvest time and can be shipped worldwide in a soil-less
mix where specified or in their naturally occurring soil
where quarantine permits allow.
The Grass Trees make magnificent specimens, both the single-trunked
trees and the multi-headed specimens that are occasionally
available. Generally we ship all of our Grass Trees with
most of the leaves removed as this will allow for easier
shipment and handling and the new leaves will soon grow
out once planted into their new environment in most countries
around the world. The plants need to be planted in well-drained
and raised garden beds or in pots and will tolerate full
sun and high temperatures or even part shade and are also
frost tolerant. Fertilise with native fertiliser only in
Spring and Autumn and in dry conditions water occasionally
if in pots about once a week.
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