Dianella nigra
Turutu, also known as New Zealand Blueberry or Inkberry, is a distinctive tussock-forming perennial that creates elegant clumps of long, strap-like green leaves with dark marginal bands, reaching 25-80cm long and forming graceful fan-like arrangements up to 60-80cm tall. From November to December, this widespread endemic produces delicate drooping flower stalks bearing small white flowers with green tones and yellow centers, followed from December through May by the plant's most spectacular feature - glossy berries that display an extraordinary range of blue colors from iridescent indigo and mellow china blue to powdery lavender, steely silver-purple, or deep regal violet. Found throughout New Zealand from coastal headlands to montane forests and subalpine scrub, this ecologically important plant provides crucial food for native birds like kererū, tūī, and bellbirds, while historically serving Māori communities as a source of blue dye for traditional tattoos and bringing both ornamental value and authentic New Zealand character to contemporary gardens. grasses and flaxes
Image credit: Turutu (Dianella nigra). Wikipedia
| Scientific Name | Dianella nigra |
|---|---|
| Height | 0.3-0.9 meters (typically 0.6-0.8m) |
| Spread | 0.5-0.8 meters (spreads via rhizomes) |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate (very adaptable) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Frost Tolerance | Excellent (montane to subalpine) |
| Salt Tolerance | Good (coastal native) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | Long-lived perennial |
Turutu is exceptionally adaptable throughout New Zealand, thriving from coastal to subalpine conditions. It performs excellently across diverse climates and demonstrates remarkable tolerance to environmental variations.
| City | Climate Suitability |
|---|---|
| Whangārei | Ideal |
| Auckland | Ideal |
| Hamilton | Ideal |
| Tauranga | Ideal |
| Rotorua | Ideal |
| Gisborne | Ideal |
| New Plymouth | Ideal |
| Napier | Ideal |
| Whanganui | Ideal |
| Palmerston North | Ideal |
| Wellington | Ideal |
| Nelson | Ideal |
| Christchurch | Ideal |
| Dunedin | Ideal |
| Invercargill | Ideal |
Turutu is extremely adaptable to soil conditions:
Very flexible light needs:
Low to moderate water needs:
Turutu requires minimal maintenance:
The spectacular berries and elegant foliage form are the main attractions, so minimal intervention produces the best ornamental and ecological results.
The best time to plant Turutu is during spring or early autumn when temperatures are moderate and establishment is easier.
Choose a site with:
Water regularly during establishment but avoid overwatering. This extremely hardy and adaptable plant becomes very low-maintenance once established.
Growing from fresh seed requires patience:
Division is the most effective propagation method:
Turutu spreads naturally through rhizomes and bird-dispersed seeds, often establishing new colonies in suitable habitats without intervention.
Turutu (Dianella nigra) represents both the remarkable ecological adaptability of New Zealand's flora and the practical wisdom of traditional Māori resource use:
Today, Turutu serves as an outstanding example of how endemic plants can provide both ecological authenticity and spectacular ornamental value, particularly valued for its extraordinary berry colors and its role in supporting native bird populations in designed landscapes.
Provide appropriate drainage and avoid overwatering. This naturally hardy and widely adaptable plant rarely develops serious problems when grown in suitable conditions.
Turutu is perfect for creating wildlife-friendly gardens that support native birds while providing spectacular ornamental value - the berries are like living jewels with their extraordinary range of blue colors from china blue to deep violet. Plant it where you can appreciate both the elegant flax-like foliage year-round and the berry display from summer through autumn. The berries will attract kererū, tūī, and bellbirds to your garden, creating natural movement and sound. This is one of New Zealand's most adaptable natives - it thrives almost anywhere from coastal salt spray to forest shade, making it perfect for challenging sites where other plants struggle.
Turutu (Dianella nigra) is a versatile and visually striking native plant, known for its elegant tussock form and spectacular blue berries. When considering companion plants, look for other native species that complement its texture and tolerate similar conditions, such as well-drained soils and full sun to partial shade. Other flax-like plants, sedges, or small-leaved shrubs can create a cohesive and resilient native planting, enhancing the natural beauty and biodiversity of your garden, particularly in woodland or coastal areas.
Learn more about traditional plant dyes in Cultural Treasures.
Dianella nigra (turutu; New Zealand blueberry) forms neat clumps of strap‑like leaves with wiry stems bearing starry white to blue‑tinged flowers, followed by metallic blue berries that persist into winter.
Lowland to montane forest margins and light scrub on free‑draining, humus‑rich soils with even moisture and partial shade.
Flowers and berries provide seasonal resources for insects and birds. Clumps stabilise soil and add sward structure in shaded borders.
Useful as a low, durable understorey matrix in native plantings, linking shrub layers and groundcovers and supplying winter fruit.
Mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Feed lightly in spring if needed. Divide congested clumps in early spring.
Remove spent flower stems and old leaves to tidy. Top up mulch annually and divide clumps if centres thin.
Excellent edging and understorey plant with ferns, coprosmas, and hebes. The blue berries add winter colour and interest.
Not Threatened. In restoration, eco‑source plants and maintain weed control until clumps knit to form a stable ground layer.
This plant has cultural associations in Aotearoa and is valued in restoration and gardens for ecological services; use eco‑sourced stock near natural areas.
Turutu was valued by Māori for its distinctive blue berries that were eaten as food, though they required careful preparation as they could cause stomach upset if consumed in large quantities, while the strong, flexible leaves were used for weaving baskets, mats, and cordage. The plant's tough rhizomes were occasionally used for medicinal purposes, and its presence in forest margins and clearings made it easily accessible for traditional resource gathering. The species continues to hold cultural significance as a traditional food and fiber plant, representing the sophisticated understanding of plant preparation and use in Māori culture.
