You can easily adapt your Silver Lady Fern mix for the Lomandra by following these adjustments:
1. Dilute the Mix with Perth Sand (50/50)
- The Problem: The rich, water-retentive compost/peat mix you made for the fern will stay too dense and soggy for a Lomandra over the winter months.
- The Fix: When digging your hole for the Lomandra, blend half of your rich fern soil mix with half of your natural, gritty Perth sand (or coarse river sand). This keeps the organic nutrients but instantly opens the drainage so the plant's crown doesn't rot.
2. Choose the Right Osmocote
- Because Lomandra is an Australian native, Osmocote Native is completely safe to use.
- However, 'Katie Belles' is famous for its massive, highly fragrant, golden flower spikes in spring. To really boost those blooms, you can actually step up to Osmocote Total All Purpose or Osmocote Plus Organics, as this specific variety isn't as strictly phosphorus sensitive as other native plants and loves the extra nutrient push.
3. Quick Planting Steps
- Sunlight: Unlike your shade-loving fern, 'Katie Belles' performs best in full sun to partial shade.
- Planting Depth: Plant it so the base of the green foliage sits exactly at the ground level. Never bury the crown or trunk base under the soil or mulch, as Lomandras are highly prone to crown rot if buried too deeply.
- Mulch: Use a coarse bark mulch but keep it a few centimetres clear of the plant's base.