Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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amazing red flax

Amazing red flax is one of New Zealand’s most sought-after landscaping treasures. Featuring dramatic, sword-like leaves in deep burgundy and copper-red tones, this vibrant native brings both bold colour and easy-care flair to gardens across the country. Whether you’re designing a modern front yard, seeking low-maintenance feature plants, or looking for hardy options for coastal planting, amazing red flax is a smart, versatile choice. In this guide, discover everything you need to know about amazing red flax, including its stunning appearance, ideal uses, and how it compares to other popular phormium varieties.

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 ornamental plant brings strong colour and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. With its dramatic foliage and easy care nature, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a standout feature for both modern and traditional landscapes.

Buy Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

From $117.09

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, Modern, Native, Riparian

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

Striking Colour and Year-Round Appeal

Amazing red flax (a form of Phormium) is celebrated for its intense reddish foliage, which intensifies in full sun and provides vivid contrast against greens, variegated plants, or silvery natives. Its upright, fan-shaped growth delivers architectural structure while remaining compact enough for smaller spaces. As a bonus, amazing red flax keeps its colour all through winter when many other garden plants fade, ensuring your landscape always looks sharp and lively.

Easy Care for Kiwi Gardens

One of the reasons amazing red flax is so popular is its tough, low-maintenance nature. Like many New Zealand flax varieties, it’s drought-tolerant once established, tolerates wind and salt spray, and grows happily in both clay and sandy soils. Amazing red flax needs only occasional tidying—trimming older leaves at the base maximises the display of fresh growth. This hardiness makes it ideal for coastal gardens, public plantings, or anywhere a fuss-free, rust-resistant plant is desired.

Design Ideas and Companion Plants

Amazing red flax stands out as a specimen in pots or raised beds. It also works brilliantly in mixed borders with native shrubs or dramatic companion plants. For layered, colourful plantings, try pairing it with Phormium 'Evening Glow'. This flax features vibrant red and pink foliage, echoing and enhancing the impact of amazing red flax. Alternatively, contrast with Phormium 'Pink Panther' for a playful mix of blush tones, or add the lush, green fountain leaves of Phormium cookianum for a softer effect.

Looking to introduce even more texture and colour? The deep crimson blooms and fine foliage of Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush) make a fabulous flowering partner, attracting native birds while complementing the foliage tones of amazing red flax.

How Does Amazing Red Flax Compare to Other Flaxes?

While amazing red flax makes a statement, other varieties such as Phormium tenax offer classic upright green blades and enormous adaptability for shelter, weaving, and mass landscaping. Mixing and matching several forms of phormium creates depth and year-round interest in your garden, with each cultivar offering unique colour, size, and texture.

Choosing and Planting Your Amazing Red Flax

When selecting amazing red flax for your landscape, look for healthy, well-rooted plants with vibrant foliage. Space them at least 1 metre apart in the garden or choose large containers with free-draining soil. Amazing red flax thrives in full sun for best colour but copes well with partial shade—just keep them out of dense, dark spots. A layer of mulch in spring will keep roots cool and reduce competition from weeds.

With its dazzling colour, architectural form, and Kiwi toughness, amazing red flax is a must-have feature for any New Zealand garden. Explore our full range of flaxes and companion plants to create your perfect, easy-care landscape today.

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.