New Zealand Flax Phormium tenax
- Phonetic Spelling
- FOR-mee-um TEN-aks
- Description
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New Zealand flax is native to New Zealand and is a member of the daylily family (Asphodelaceae). The genus name is from the Greek for "mat." The species epithet means "holding tight" or "tough" in reference to the strong fibers extracted from the leaves (the source of the common name).
It is an evergreen, clump-forming tender perennial that is grown for its attractive foliage, as well as its showy flowers. It grows in average, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It dislikes excessive summer heat but is not reliably hardy below USDA Zone 9a. As such, it can be difficult to grow unless your site is just right. The variegated cultivars have the best color when grown in partial shade.
New Zealand flax is a striking, large, architectural plant. Many cultivars with variously colored leaves are available. Some dwarf cultivars are also available. The variegated cultivars have purple, red, bronze, pink or cream stripes that run the length of the leaves. The flowers are held on erect panicles well above the foliage, although plants in containers rarely flower.
It makes a good container plant, providing height and color contrast. Plants can be brought indoors or into a greenhouse for the winter. The flowers will attract hummingbirds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: mealybugs and snails. Leaf spot may damage the foliage.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Guardsman'
- 'Mao'
- 'Mat's Merlot'
Deep dark, almost black leaves
- 'Guardsman'
- 'Guardsman', 'Mao', 'Mat's Merlot'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Guardsman'
- 'Mao'
- 'Mat's Merlot'
Deep dark, almost black leaves
- 'Guardsman'
- 'Guardsman', 'Mao', 'Mat's Merlot'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Phormium
- Species:
- tenax
- Family:
- Asphodelaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The Māori use the fibers extracted from the leaves to weave mats and other articles.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- New Zeland
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Colorful
- Screening
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is highly salt tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Description:
- Panicles of dark red flowers appear well above the foliage atop stout, rigid flowering spikes (to 12’ tall) in summer. Plants grown in containers arely flowers
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Rigid, sword-shaped, linear, bright green leaves (3 to 8 feet long) in erect clumps. Leaf margins and midribs are narrowly edged with red-orange. Leaves are creased down the middle and folded into a v-shape.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Salt
