Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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new zealand flax varieties

New Zealand flax varieties (Phormium) are treasured for their dramatic foliage, architectural form, and resilience in a wide range of gardens. Native to Aotearoa, these hardy evergreen plants have inspired gardeners and landscapers worldwide, offering a spectacular palette of colours, sizes, and leaf patterns. Whether you’re designing a low-maintenance landscape or adding texture to garden borders, there’s a flax variety perfectly suited for your needs.

Phormium tenax

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.

Buy Phormium tenax

From $14.78

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

Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.

Phormium 'Black Rage'

Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This dramatic and architectural plant adds instant impact to gardens, providing colour contrast and strong vertical form. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. Phormium 'Black Rage' is the perfect choice for gardeners wanting a low maintenance yet eye catching feature.

Buy Phormium 'Black Rage'

From $20.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Flaxes

Height: 80 cm

Spread: 80 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

Why Choose New Zealand Flax Varieties?

New Zealand flax is renowned for its adaptability, growing well in coastal, windy, or damp conditions. These native plants bring movement and structure and are equally at home as specimen plants, hedges, or mass plantings. Modern breeding has introduced an array of new zealand flax varieties, each with unique ornamental qualities—ranging from bright striped leaves to deep purples and contrasting lime tones.

Popular New Zealand Flax Varieties for Your Garden

When exploring new zealand flax varieties, you’ll find a spectrum of options to liven up your landscape:

Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

This popular variety is admired for its striking green leaves edged with creamy white and a subtle pink blush, adding year-round colour. Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax) grows to about 90cm tall, making it ideal for mixed borders, containers, or as a vibrant accent plant.

Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Compact and tidy, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is perfect for smaller gardens, rockeries, or as an edging plant. Its slender, dark bronze leaves form dense clumps only 40cm tall, proving that New Zealand flax can be a feature even in limited spaces.

Phormium 'Licorice and Lime' (Licorice and Lime Flax)

For a bolder look, Phormium 'Licorice and Lime' (Licorice and Lime Flax) offers wide, variegated leaves with deep chocolate and lime green stripes. This eye-catching variety creates a tropical vibe and looks stunning when mass-planted or mixed with contrasting foliage.

Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax)

Soft, silvery tones set Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax) apart. Its muted foliage works beautifully in contemporary and coastal garden designs. Tolerant of wind and salt, this variety is as tough as it is elegant.

Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant)

Deep, moody colours bring drama to planting schemes, and Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant) delivers with its purple-black foliage. It pairs well with lighter greens and soft grasses, adding contrast and depth to your garden.

Caring for New Zealand Flax Varieties

All new zealand flax varieties thrive in well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded spot. They are drought-tolerant once established and require minimal maintenance—simply remove dead leaves to keep them looking their best. With their resilience and diverse forms, New Zealand flax varieties will continue to shine in your landscape for years.

Explore our collection of new zealand flax varieties to find the perfect match for your garden. Whether you prefer bold stripes, compact forms, or rich, dark foliage, there’s a Phormium to suit every style and location.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.