The University of California Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials™ has awarded two of Dig Plant Company’s patented varieties with a Blue Ribbon™ award in their 2018-2020 trials for a high level of performance on low water: Lomandra longifolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’, was evaluated in part shade, and Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB01’ Aussie Flat Bush™ was evaluated in full sun.
The UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials (UCLPIT) began as a graduate student research project taken on by Karrie Reid in 2004 under the guidance of her advisor Loren Oki, UCCE Specialist at UC Davis and were the first to schedule the irrigation frequency of a fixed volume of water based on reference evapotranspiration (ETo). The two-year trial program examines plant performance with deficit irrigation treatments and shade to determine which maintain high standards of aesthetic quality over the growing season.
Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB01’ Aussie Flat Bush™
“The UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials have proven to be an invaluable resource for us.” said Sam McCoy, owner and founder of Dig Plant Company. “Not only do the trials give us a sense of how our plants will perform under varying irrigation regimens, but UC’s Open House Rating Days’ for nursery and landscape professionals also provides us with industry feedback and a better understanding of a new plant’s market potential.”
Lomandra longifolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’™ is not only drought-tolerant, but it’s also shade tolerant, heat tolerant, disease tolerant and low maintenance. It looks like ornamental grass all year with pine-green foliage and a weeping habit. Katrinus Deluxe is part of Dig Plant Company’s Tuffy Plant Collection.™
Lomandra longifolia ‘Katrinus Deluxe’
Rhagodia spinescens ‘SAB01’ Aussie Flatbush™ is a low-growing, compact form of saltbush native to Australia and is an excellent groundcover option for Western US gardens. Its blue foliage stands out in mass plantings, and it responds well to annual pruning or more often for a manicured look.
Both varieties were bred by Australian native Todd Layt of Ozbreed. For more information about the UCLPIT visit BLUE RIBBON™ WINNERS - UC Landscape Plant Irrigation Trials™ (ucanr.edu)
For more information:
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
www.ucanr.edu