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Phormium Tenax Black

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 1 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. 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
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.

Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The juvenile form has orange branches held with a tangled appearance and silver-coloured foliage. The tree eventually develops dense, yellow-green foliage and distinctive hammer mark patterns on the trunk. It typically grows to 10 m tall and 6 m wide in 10 years, but will eventually reach 25-30 m tall after several more decades. The different forms make Prumnopitys taxifolia both an unusual and attractive plant that is ideal for including in a mixed planting in a large garden or for using in a native revegetation project.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 25.00 m
Spread: 6.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Forestry, Native
Phormium Platts Black with black leaves in a garden.

Phormium 'Platts Black'

Phormium 'Platts Black' is a striking New Zealand native flax variety admired for its rich, dark purple to almost black foliage. This hardy evergreen...

From$17.55
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...

From$20.15
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1m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

From$14.42
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Phormium Taya (Taya Flax)

Phormium Taya is a variety of Flax that produces sword-like leaves that are dark purple with a red undertone. This variety typically grows to 1 m...

From$20.15
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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

From$27.70
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' orange, green, and yellow variegated foliage.

Phormium 'Apricot Queen'

Phormium 'Apricot Queen' is a stunning NZ flax variety valued for its arching leaves striped with apricot, cream, and green tones. This colourful...

From$20.15
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$15.54
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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...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' flax plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Rainbow Queen'

Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' is a variety of Flax that produces long, sword-like leaves that are bronze-green with pink-red margins. This variety...

From$20.15
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.

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$20.15
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...

From$20.15
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Pittosporum Irish Luck (Black Matipo)

Caring for Sophora 'Goldies Mantle' is simple and low maintenance. Pruning after flowering will help maintain its shape and encourage fresh growth...

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A large Phormium 'Evening Glow' plant in a garden.

Phormium 'Evening Glow'

Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword-like leaves that are coloured various shades of pink and red with a...

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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...

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Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$17.55
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' plants in a mixed planting.

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$20.15
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Phormium Stripy Mist

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy...

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Heuchera Northern Exposure Black (Coral Bells)

Heuchera Northern Exposure Black is an herbaceous perennial grown for its richly coloured foliage. The leaves are deep purple-black, wavy, and...

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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$15.54
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...

From$129.56
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Echeveria Dark Prince

Echeveria Dark Prince is a succulent grown for its impressive colourings. It grows as a short and stout rosette of thick, dark brown-black leaves...

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Fatsia japonica (Japanese Aralia)

Fatsia japonica is an evergreen shrub with leaves that are large, bright green, and provide a sense of freshness to the garden. Small, white flowers...

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A large and colourful Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' plant.

Phormium cookianum purpurea

Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' is a variety of Flax with long, sword-like, purple leaves. This variety typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the same...

From$20.15
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Lagerstroemia Crimson Red

“Crimson Red” is a small, deciduous tree, grown for its lovely flowers, foliage, and great form. It produces clusters of ruffled, crimson red flowers...

From$345.69
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Phormium Velvet Underground

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.15
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Olive Frantoio

Olive Frantoio carries large fruit that are often squeezed to produce an oil with a distinct, pungent, yet fruity taste or they can be eaten fresh...

From$288.81
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Phormium Chocomint

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

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Grape Albany Surprise

Grape Albany Surprise is a popular eating grape that ripens towards the end of autumn. It features large and juicy, dark blue-black berries that have...

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Grape Steubens

Grape Steubens is a popular variety of eating grape that produces fabulous fruit that ripen in autumn. It features clusters of medium sized...

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Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple

Fagus sylvatica Dawyck Purple, commonly known as the Purple Beech tree, is grown for its beautiful colours and slender growth habit. The foliage...

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Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Echeveria, Fagus, Fatsia, Grape, Heuchera, Lagerstroemia, Olive, Phormium Pittosporum and Prumnopitys, or related Categories - Black polythene, Flaxes, Olive Trees, Grapevines, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

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