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Phormium tenax

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Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a popular landscape option that is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. Mass planting on a bank not only provides an outstanding display but is also excellent for helping to stabilise the soil.

  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Flaxes
  • Height:
    2.00 m
  • Spread:
    2.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
  • Garden uses:
    Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

More species and varieties of Phormium

phormium-apricot-queen-2
Most Popular

Phormium Apricot Queen

Phormium Apricot Queen is a variety of Flax that produces apricot and yellow leaves with a green margin. It grows to 1.3 m tall and the same wide in...

From$20.00
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.
Most Popular

Phormium Jester

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

From$20.00
phormium-surfer-
Most Popular

Phormium Surfer

Phormium Surfer is a smaller Flax that features olive-green and bronze leaves. It grows to 80 cm tall and wide in full sun on a well-drained site...

From$15.42
phormium-surfer-bronze--5
Most Popular

Phormium Surfer Bronze

Phormium Surfer Bronze is a Flax variety that features chocolate brown leaves with a hint of olive green. It grows to 60 cm tall and wide in full sun...

From$20.00
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' plants in a mixed planting.
Most Popular

Phormium Yellow Wave

Phormium 'Yellow Wave' is a Flax that produces yellow, sword-like leaves. It grows to 1.2 m tall and wide in full sun on a well-drained site. This...

From$20.00

Popular Flaxes

phormium-jack-spratt-
Most Popular

Phormium Jack Spratt

Phormium Jack Spratt is a dwarf Flax that produces green leaves with a brown border. It grows to 60 cm tall and wide in full sun on a well-drained...

From$15.42
phormium-moonraker--3
Most Popular

Phormium Moonraker (Moonraker Flax)

Phormium Moonraker is a variety of Flax that produces cream and green leaves, and grows with a tidy and compact habit to about 75 cm tall and the...

From$20.00
Large Astelia banksii with cascading green leaves.
Most Popular

Astelia banksii (Wharawhara)

Astelia banksii, commonly known as Wharawhara or Shore Astelia, is a striking New Zealand native plant celebrated for its silver-grey, strap-like...

From$135.32
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Most Popular

Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

From$12.84
phormium-veneer-
Most Popular

Phormium Veneer

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$19.29
Phormium tenax

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Our garden favourites Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' and Corokia Bronze King get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Coprosma Beatson's Gold, Fuchsia procumbens (Creeping Fuchsia), and Phormium Surfer.
–The Plant Company

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