Phormium
Actually the word Phormium comes from the Greek "phormos" which relates to baskets. Flax was also one of New Zealand';s first exports. The fibre was used for making twine and rope and was highly valued by the British Navy. There are two species of New Zealand Flax - Phormium tenax or Harakeke which is the larger of the two and Phormium cookianum or Wharaiki.
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Flax plants are actually a large perennial herb though we tend to use them in landscaping as we would a shrub. They are incredibly hardy and adaptable and very easy to grow. The long leathery sword like foliage has an attractive arching habit and comes in a myriad of colour choices. The colour of the red varieties is more intense if the foliage is protected from afternoon sun.
The rigid flower stalks stand proudly above the foliage in summer and once mature (when they turn bronzy red) are a magnet for birds. The native Tui';s beak fits perfectly into the shape of the Phormium flower. It is great fun to watch them as they apear to gorge themselves into an almost drunken state on the nectar; definitely one of my favourite times in the gardening year. Phormiums also grow well in a container and there are some neat dwarf varieties which are well suited to this purpose. They must be well watered if container grown as Phormiums do not like to dry out completely. The only maintenance they need is the occasional tidy up of old foliage and flower heads.
If you have a tough, hard-to-develop site or a bank that needs retaining, then consider a mass planting of Phormium. They will do the job for you very well and in an undemanding fashion. Fabulous along stream banks or around ponds, perfect used amongst large rocks or simply use as a foliage feature in your border or shrubbery. Their form, texture, colour and graceful habit are guaranteed to please.
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20 LISTINGS
Native. A special little dwarf flax with attractive, jet black, fine foliage that is highlighted with a lime green margin. An ideal accent plant for borders or for mass planting. Looks good in container too. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 0.3m x 0.3m
Phormium Black Magic
Current Stock Height: 20/30cm ?
Container: pb8 ?
$21.99
Native. This Flax is far more attractive than its name suggests. The arching swords of foliage are a very attractive smoky black shade with hints of moody blue. Prefers a sunny open position in soil that is not too wet. Feed regularly to maintain colour. Hardy, evergreen.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 100cm x 100cm
Phormium Black Rage
Current Stock Height: 40/50cm ?
Container: 1.3l ?
$14.99
NZ Native. A unique and striking small Flax with variegated foliage made up of pale cream and chartreuse stripes. The foliage is narrow and slightly twisted and has a strong weeping tendency. Fabulous for group planting or containers. Easy to grow in morning sun or part shade. Evergreen. PVR.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 0.9m x 0.6m
Phormium Blondie
Current Stock Height: 10/20 cm ?
Container: 1.9l ?
New stock arriving shortly. Pre-order now. Estimated price $21.99 each. Payment when stock arrives.
Phormium cookianum Purpurea is a smaller red foliage variety of mountain flax. Gracefully drooping long bronze leaves and in spring long flower spikes, loved by native birds. This all purpose plant adds colour and texture to your garden. Thrives in wet or dry soils and tolerates sunny, shady and exposed areas. Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 100cm x 100cm
Phormium Cookianum Purpurea
Current Stock Height: 30/40cm ?
Container: 0.5l ?
$8.99
10 @ $8.00 each
Yellow flowers appear November to January. Smaller growing than ordinary Flax. Does not like to be water logged but will withstand drought and salt laden wind. Effective in pebble gardens against large boulders. Good for mass planting and erosion control. Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 100cm x 100cm
Phormium Cookianum
Current Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?
Container: 0.5l ?
$8.99
Native. A beautiful medium sized flax with the deepest wine coloured, sword shaped foliage. Imagine the effect of a large drift of these swaying in the breeze. Alternatively stunning in a container. Easy to grow in just about any condition. Evergreen.
Habit: Arching
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 1.5m x 1.5m
Phormium Dark Delight
Current Stock Height: 40/50cm ?
Container: 2l ?
New stock arriving shortly. Pre-order now. Estimated price $19.99 each. Payment when stock arrives.
An award winning Flax valued because of the attractive variegated foliage and nice tidy, compact habit. The sword like leaves have a green centre and are edged with a soft creamy yellow. Will grow just about anywhere and is very hardy. Evergreen. RHS AGM.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 60cm x 60cm
Phormium Duet
Current Stock Height: 30/40 cm ?
Container: 2l ?
New stock arriving shortly. Pre-order now. Estimated price $19.99 each. Payment when stock arrives.
Native. A striking Flax with gracefully arching leaves that are mainly toned a nice rich red outlined with a margin of darker red. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Very effective when planted in groups. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 75cm x 75cm
Phormium Evening Glow
Current Stock Height: 60/70 cm ?
Container: 2l ?
$19.99
Native. A neat and tidy little flax with fresh green upright foliage. Looks good planted in groups or can look quite striking in the right container. Hardy and easy to grow in sun or part shade. Yellow flower heads in spring-summer. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 0.75m x 0.6m
Phormium Green Dwarf
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: pb3 ?
$12.99
Native Flax. Little 'Jack Spratt' will not get fat as it is a delightful dwarf flax with narrow upright bronze-red leaves. Looks particularly good group planted. Tough and hardy and quite well groomed. Plant in sun or part shade. Evergreen.
Habit: Clump forming
Est. Hgt/Wdth in 7/10 yrs: 0.3m x 0.3m
Phormium Jack Spratt
Current Stock Height: 20/30 cm ?
Container: 2l ?
$19.99
Stock of this item is very low.
Phormium Jack Spratt
Current Stock Height: 10/15 cm ?
Container: 1l ?
WAS $10.99
NOW $8.99
Wairere Nursery
826 Gordonton Road, R D 1, Hamilton 3281 Ph: (07) 824 3430 Email: