Phormium tenax - New Zealand Flax

The Phormium tenax, known as New Zealand Flax, forms a lush clump of linear and stiff foliage, a bright green with a satin finish. This bountiful evergreen perennial provides a very vertical note to the garden, throughout the year, including during its summer flowering with upright spikes adorned with red tubular flowers filled with nectar. This botanical species may not be the most colourful, but has elegance and presence. Moreover, it has the unique ability to grow and beautify year after year in a wide range of soils, even in dry conditions, once well established. And the best part is that it's the hardiest of all Phormiums. So, if you're looking for a plant that won't disappoint, this is for you!

New Zealand Flax belongs to the agave family and is the largest and hardiest of the two New Zealand species. It is more adaptable than Phormium cookianum to periodically dry soils once well established. P. tenax is a widely distributed plant in its country of origin, where it colonises various environments and soils. This superb rhizomatous perennial has fleshy roots and develops into a sizeable, non-spreading clump composed of multiple rosettes. Each rosette consists of a bunch of leaves folded in half lengthwise, crossing over into each other, forming perfect fans. With an erect and bushy habit, it can reach up to 2 to 3m (9 to 10 ft) in all directions, depending on growing conditions. The leaves are broad, up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long, slightly arched, very long, leathery, pointed at their tips, and simply coloured in bright green. This plant blooms in the summer as tall flower stalks that can be 3 to 4m (13 to 14 ft) high. The flowering period is from May to July, depending on the climate, and the stalks tower over the clump of foliage. When ripe, the flowers are green-tinged with purple and bear curved, red tube-shaped flowers. This nectar-rich flowering attracts certain birds and numerous pollinating insects.

Phormium tenax plants are adaptable but not very hardy, especially the dark-leaved forms. Their use and chosen location must be carefully considered due to their significant growth and overbearing personality. They can be easily grown in large containers to be overwintered in cold climates. 

This botanical Phormium is a sturdy, undemanding plant with real ornamental value. It is perfect for large beds or large rockeries in mild climates, even in direct exposure to sea spray. Used as a standalone plant or planted in groups by combining several varieties with various colours, it structures the space and brings verticality and exoticism to even the humblest decor. It will be enhanced by ground cover plants with varied foliage such as ceraistes, Ajuga reptans, Frankenia laevis, Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' or Artemisia alba, mixed with perennials like California Poppy and Delosperma cooperii. Like tall grasses, it is also a wonderful perennial for a modern garden with clean lines. In an urban garden, it softens concrete structures.  

The Maoris use Phormiums as we use flax, for their fibres that are often used in the textile industry, which is where it gets its nickname 'New Zealand Flax'.