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PHORMIUM
Commonly known as New Zealand flax
These architectural plants can be grown in tubs and make excellent features on the patio. They prefer a hot dry site and are perfectly hardy if sheltered from strong winds. In colder areas they need to be given some mulch or other protection around the base of the plant in winter.
Genus of two species of evergreen perennials P. cookianum (Mountain flax) and P. tenax (New Zealand flax).
They are found in scrub and swamps and on hillsides and riverbanks in areas ranging from coasts to mountains in New Zealand.
The flax label originates from the Cook expedition where the native popuation wore garments similar to linens (made from flax).
An industry was proposed for the Scillies in the late 1800s, probably for rope, but nothing came of it. Naturalised plants of P. tenax can be found all over the Isles.
Further Reading....
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Evergreen - perennials forming clumps of large, linear, keeled leaves each folded into a V-shape at the base.
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Medium shrub - Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height - small, tubular flowers on tall leafless stems in summer.
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Full sun -
Additional Features - Good to know - - two species, P. cookianum (Mountain flax), P. tenax (New Zealand flax). Good focal point plant. Ideal for coastal garden. -
Pests & Diseases - mealybugs might be a problem -
Place of origin - from coasts to mountains in New Zealand -
Resistant to honey fungus - These plants have little or few problems with honey fungus.
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Soil Conditions - Fertile moist well-drained soil - - in frost-prone areas provide a deep, dry winter mulch.
Buy Varieties of PHORMIUM
PHORMIUM 'Alison Blackman' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
A new release with distinctive olive green centres to the leaves which have golden cream stripes and a thin margin of orange-red
PHORMIUM 'Apricot Queen' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Yellow leaves overlaid with apricot, edged dark green bronze
PHORMIUM 'Back in Black' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Compact, dwarf habit and very dark foliage
PHORMIUM 'Black Rage' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
An outstanding black leaved phormium with an upright and arching habit. Clump forming
PHORMIUM 'Black Velvet' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
The darkest of all the 'black' phormiums. Arching foliage has a beautiful silvery underside
PHORMIUM 'Bronze Baby' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Arching outer leaves, red-bronze in colour
PHORMIUM 'Cream Delight' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Variegated green with cream centre and red margin. Spreading and drooping habit
PHORMIUM 'Crimson Devil' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Rich crimson-red with darker red margins
PHORMIUM 'Dark Delight' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Dark purple-black leaves and a strong upright habit
PHORMIUM 'Duet' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Creamy margins to the leaves. Smaller growing than most varieties
PHORMIUM 'Evening Glow' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Bright red and pink leaves which are erect at first and then spreading
PHORMIUM 'Flamingo' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Small with weeping habit but compact. Leaves have orange-pink, green and pale yellow stripes
PHORMIUM 'Gold Ray' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Distrinctive overall golden-yellow appearance. Leaves have a narrow green centre with golden stripes nearer the margins
PHORMIUM 'Gold Sword' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Tall growing variety with stiff upright leaves which have creamy-yellow centres fading to gold with an occasional pinkish flush
PHORMIUM 'Jester' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
A new variety with pink centres to the leaves which have attractive lime-green margins
PHORMIUM 'Joker' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Bright pink-red on the leaf margins which are dark lime-green in the centre. The reverse colours of 'Jester'
PHORMIUM 'Pink Panther' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Rich candy-pink foliage margined deep ruby red
PHORMIUM 'Platts Black' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Rich deep bluish purple coloured leaves and compact habit
PHORMIUM 'Rainbow Maiden' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Pale pink centre fading cream on outside of leaves
PHORMIUM 'Red Fingers' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
The only multi-coloured dwarf phormium with leaves which are striped pink and red on bronze-green
PHORMIUM 'Sundowner' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Purple, pink and cream. Tall and upright growing
PHORMIUM Tricolor' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Variegated, green with cream edge and a thin red stripe on the leaf margin
PHORMIUM 'Yellow Wave' >
Commonly known as: New Zealand flax.
Bright yellow and green tall growing and upright
