The Blue Lily

Sometimes Called Flax Lily, Dianella Is A Low-maintenance Native With Striking Blue Or Purple Berries And Flowers

- Jennifer Stackhouse

Nobody admires the blue berries of Dianella more than the satin bowerbird. Before blue milk bottle tops and plastic pegs became common in the environment, the satin bowerbird used the berries to decorate his bower and attract females.

A large bird with satin-like, blue-black feathers and blue eyes, the satin bowerbird is native to the east coast of Australia and occasionally builds bowers in gardens. The bower isn’t a nest but the male’s display area where he collects and displays blue objects and also performs an energetic dance routine to impress the ladies.