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Phormium Tenax Uses

Phormium tenax

5 from 1 customers

Harakeke, NZ Flax

Phormium tenax, commonly known as flax or harakeke, is an herbaceous perennial 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. Phormium tenax is a popular landscape option is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. A mass planting on bank not only provides an outstanding display but is great 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$20.12
phormium-emerald-gem-
Most Popular

Phormium Emerald Gem

Phormium cookianum 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...

From$14.83
phormium-jester-2
Most Popular

Phormium Jester

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

From$20.12
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$17.14
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$20.12

Popular Flaxes

Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.
Most Popular

Phormium Black Rage

Phormium Black Rage is a dwarf Flax that produces smoky, dark grey foliage. It grows to 80 cm tall and the same wide in full sun on a well-drained...

From$20.12
phormium-red-dwarf-
Most Popular

Phormium Red Dwarf

Phormium Red Dwarf is a popular NZ native that features striking red-purple leaves. It grows as a tidy clump to about 1 m tall and the same wide...

From$20.12
dianella-tasmanica--2
Most Popular

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$17.81
dianella-revoluta-little-rev--1
Most Popular

Dianella Little Rev

Dianella Little Rev is a compact, clump forming grass that is a fantastic blue-green colour. It grows to about 60 cm tall and about 40 cm wide and...

From$14.83
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$19.30
Phormium tenax

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