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  In the South West and other desert areas, occasional watering will be required, but less then most other plants
• First Step Greenhouses
• Bill Moore & Co., Inc
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Katie Belles™ PPAF - Lomandra hystrix 'LHBYF'

Katie Belles is a large full sized Lomandra hystrix with masses of prolific big yellow flowers through spring for month at a time. Katie Belles generally will grow to a maximum height of 5 ft. in general conditions, but in well maintained, fertilized and irrigated areas it can grow to a height of 6 ft. Like other Lomandra hystrix Katie Belles is extremely resistant to root rot and phytophora. Katie Belles can be used in most landscape applications and will tolerate raised, depressed and flat planting sites.

 

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Position:

• Katie Belle is suited to moist soils, but can tolerate dry conditions.
• Lives on natural rainfall in most of the populated areas of Zone 9 and 10, provided it is planted in 2' or more of mulch, preferably chunky mulch, as this lets the rain pass more easily through to the root zone
• For desert inland type areas occasional watering will be required
• It grows well in part shade and will tolerate full sun and moderate-high frosts
• It is the best Lomandra species for coping with wet feet, over irrigated areas, hot, humid and dry conditions
• It does well in both raised and depressed areas in both clay and sandy soils
• Tolerates windy and salt laden windy positions

Mulch Type:

It will grow well in all types of mulch including recycled mulch with more than 5% fines, but for reasons other than plant health preferably plant in much that comprises of hardwood chips or other chunky wood material with no more than 5% fines by volume (preferably zero fines). (Note: Mulch with less than 5% fines has many advantages, and should be used anyway. However this plant can cope well with mulch types with more than 5% fines.)

Care:

Water as required to keep the plant healthy for the first 8 to 13 weeks. After this irrigation is optional (not required) for most populated areas of Zone 9 and 10, other than particularly dry inland regions. Although any Lomandra hystrix type plant will benefit from occasional irrigation, helping prevent brown off in very dry conditions. It needs occasional watering in dry areas. Trimming is rarely required, but if needed, trim using a sharp implement to 12' above the ground. Avoid trimming in drought conditions, or in the middle of summer. Fertilizer is rarely required, but in ornamental gardens if a darker green color is desired, fertilize with any good balanced 8 to 9 month slow release fertilizer, preferably in Spring or Autumn.

Uses:

• Ideal for mass planting in commercial landscaping, roadsides, golf courses, factories, offices and for specimen planting in private gardens
• Good understory plant in open tree plantings
• Good plant for the edge of water courses, dams or ponds. Excellent for handling areas which can be wet for long periods, provided it is not under water, and just wet soils. E.g : Gullies on roadsides, embankments.
• Do not plant in water that is permanently more than 2' deep. It is not a wetland plant, but can tolerate shallow water for very long periods.
• Ideal for patio pot plants and planter boxes, provided a larger plant is required
• Good indoor plant
• Good companion plant with Little Jess, Breeze and Tropic Belle

Planting Rates

• Roadsides: 3.3' x 3.3' x 3.9' (14.9 oz volume) square pots and 5.5' diameter round pots (5.5' deep) and (47.3 oz volume): After consultation with roads departments, we recommend planting Tropic Belle at 1.3 pots per square feet in urban areas, and for rural roads, 1 pot per square feet.
• Garden Rates: Mass planting, 1 per square feet for full coverage. For specimen planting, plant 1 to 2 per 3.5 square feet. (These low rates are for where manual weed control is possible).

Weed control:

• Ronstar as per label as a pre-emergent. Fusilade as per label will selectively take out grass weeds. Eg: Kikuyu, summer grass etc. When spot spraying with Glyphosate (Roundup), ensure drift or overspray does not accidently contact the Katie Belle. Do not spot spray on windy days. Please check label to see if you can use these chemicals in your region for this use.