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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 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental flax is perfect for adding colour contrast and texture to modern and traditional gardens. Its tidy, clump forming habit makes it suitable for smaller spaces, borders, and pots.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

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.

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
phormium-pepe-
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year...

From$17.95
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$12.95
phormium-veneer-
Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

From$12.95
Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$12.95
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.
Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$8.50
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

From$17.95
Phormium 'Black Magic' plants in a large pot and featuring elegant, dark-coloured foliage.
Phormium 'Black Magic'

Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year...

From$17.95
Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$8.50
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$33.05
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.49
pittosporum-frankies-folly-
Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly'

Pittosporum 'Frankies Folly' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its naturally rounded form and dense foliage. This hardy New Zealand native...

From$26.15
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$16.50
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
pseudopanax-lessonii-gold-finger-
Pseudopanax 'Gold Finger'

Pseudopanax 'Gold Finger' is a striking New Zealand native shrub valued for its distinctive golden green foliage and strong architectural form. The...

From$270.40
Dysoxylum spectabile tree.
Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...

From$323.65
Arthropodium Matapouri Bay plant with  lush green foliage and masses of white flowers.
Arthropodium 'Matapouri Bay' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium Matapouri Bay is a variety of the commonly known Renga Renga Lily, featuring mid-green leaves with a graceful and elegant arch. It...

From$9.95
coprosma-repens-plum-hussey--1
Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'

Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich plum purple foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful New...

From$16.95
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) shrubs in a native reserve.
Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as Manuka or New Zealand Tea Tree, is a hardy native shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and masses of white...

From$13.73
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$9.95
coprosma-repens-margarita-
Coprosma 'Margarita'

Coprosma 'Margarita' is a vibrant evergreen shrub admired for its colourful foliage featuring warm tones of green, gold, bronze, and orange...

From$16.95
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$10.95
gazania-new-day-red-stripe--1
Gazania New Day Red Stripe

Gazania New Day Red Stripe bears large, daisy like flowers that are yellow with prominent red stripes. These are borne from spring through summer...

From$20.63
Typha orientalis (Raupo) plants with brown seed heads.
Typha orientalis (Raupō)

Typha orientalis, commonly known as Raupo, is a vigorous and erect, NZ native grass. It is found throughout New Zealand in shallow, fertile waters...

From$14.84
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka)

Libocedrus plumosa, commonly known as Kawaka, is a majestic NZ native conifer valued for its graceful, feathery foliage and elegant pyramidal form...

From$323.65
A large Agathis australis (Kauri tree) in a native reserve.
Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri)

Agathis australis, commonly known as the Kauri tree, is a revered New Zealand native conifer renowned for its immense size and longevity. Reaching...

From$34.95
The best new lawn fertiliser in NZ.
New Lawn Fertiliser

Establishing a new lawn requires the proper nutrients to ensure robust root development and healthy growth. Our New Lawn Fertiliser, featuring...

From$5.76
Phormium 'Cream Delight' plant in a garden.
Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

Phormium 'Cream Delight' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are variegated with dark green and cream. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes.

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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.

The spotlight often lands on Rhododendron 'Pawhuska' and Ficus benjamina 'Starlight', but Prumnopitys ferruginea, Fraxinus Raywoodii, and Hebe albicans deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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