Phormium spp. & cvs.   New Zealand Flax Phormiceae

  Phormium spp. & cvs.   Phormium spp. & cvs.

  Moderate growth evergreen, from New Zealand. Only 2 species in genus: P. cookianum and P. tenax. this is probably P. cookianum. Design height is 8', mature height is 12'. Clumps, stiffly vertical leaves. Simple basal leaves, 8 to 10' long, up to 5" wide. Dark green, entire and linear. Orange/reddish/yellow 1 to 2" flowers (great bird attractor), blooms July through August. Brown 2 to 4" fruit.

Prefers full sun, high to no water, likes loam, clay, rocky and sandy soil. Tolerates drought, heat, poor soil, salt air, poor drainage and wind. Propagates by seeding or division. Little pruning required, cut off old flowers. Easily transplantable.

Use as: accent, barrier, container, cut foliage, erosion control, low maintenance, near pools, screen, sea coast, specimen, windbreak, good next to large rocks. Goes well with Spanish architecture, for tropical effect.

Photos taken at Gamble Garden.