The emerging popularity of grasses and grass-like plants in Inland Empire landscapes has led to many other successful plant introductions. The Spiny-headed mat rush is one of these new garden additions. It is a clumping perennial growing with a symmetrical shape, 4-5 ft. tall and as wide. Medium green foliage is comprised of flat stiff leaves; 6-8 in. long flower spikes with fragrant yellow flowers occur in spring.

Spiny-headed mat rush is native to southern and eastern Australia and Tasmania where it grows along water courses, on hillsides and in open forest communities. It has proven to be a tough and durable plant that is adaptable to wet and dry conditions and a variety of soil types. Individual plants provide bold clumping character in containers, perennial gardens and as an understory plant among eucalyptus trees. Mass plantings are effective in medians, on slopes and in large garden spaces. It is well adapted to sun and partial shade, and shows good drought tolerance once established. One trademarked cultivar, L. l. Breeze™, is a dwarf plant that has narrow green leaves, grows 2-3 ft. high and has fragrant yellow flowers.