I planted a lomandra grass variety that is more sage in color. I bought 6 of them and only one seem to make it in the yard. The other one is not doing so well. I am disappointed. I ended up transplanting 4 of them back in a pot with good soil and cutting them back. Two of them seem to making a recovery. The other two are not. What am I doing wrong?

Answer #2 · Deborah Centeno's Answer · As the plants declined the leaf color turned brown. The species is called Lomandra Conferifolia or Seascape Lomandra.)

Answer #1 · Maple Tree's Answer · Hi Deborah-If the leaf color is somewhat like sage I'm thinking it is more of a blue green or gray green. The cultivar 'Breeze' would be more of a medium or darker green depending on how much sunlight the plants are getting. Are you sure these plants are the 'Breeze' cultivar? It sounds as though the plants started to decline fairly soon after they were planted. Normally a decline this quickly is associated with too much or too little water. Lomandra Breeze is not only drought resistant but can take a fair amount of water without any problems but this is only once the plants are established. All Lomandras require a well draining soil. If you are planting in a clay soil that does not drain well, holding too much water, it will have to be amended with organic materials. Hearing most of the plants are doing better after putting them back into a container with a well draining soil mix makes me think they may have been getting too much water. Too little water of course could cause problems also. The soil around the root balls should always feel cool and moist but never too wet or dry during their first growing season. There are other species of Lomandra that are slower growing and slow to establish themselves. Some of these varieties can die back quickly due to the lack of water especially when trying to establish themselves during the hot summer months. The main problems with Lomandra longifolia 'Breeze' when trying to establish themselves is normally too much water. This is especially harmful if the soil drains poorly along with possibly high humidity. The pots now are most likely draining well keeping the soil moist but not too wet which will most definitely help. If the plants are definitely the 'Breeze' cultivar and continue to do better I would assume the problem was too much or too little water. If they happen to be another species not only the amount of water but the amount of hot direct afternoon sunlight could be the problem. Some new introductions do better with some relief from the hot afternoon sun. As the plants declined did the leaf coloring change? Did the leaves turn lighter in color or turn brown? I would first check and see if the soil in the planting area feels too wet or dry? Let me know what you think and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please ask if you have any other questions.

John)