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ben flax

Ben flax is a popular term for plants in the Phormium genus, celebrated across New Zealand gardens for their vibrant foliage, resilience, and striking architectural form. Whether you’re seeking dramatic colour, native authenticity, or a hardy specimen for difficult spots, ben flax offers a range of varieties to suit every landscaping style. In this guide, we’ll explore why Phormium is so beloved, how it can be used in your garden, and introduce some top-performing cultivars available right here in New Zealand.

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$21.39
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$18.63
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$21.39
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$18.63
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$21.39
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$18.63
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.
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...

From$15.11
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$17.25
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$15.87
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$340.69
phormium-stripy-mist-
Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is an attractive New Zealand flax valued for its beautifully variegated foliage featuring soft green leaves striped with...

From$21.39
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$18.63
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$18.63
phormium-anna-red-
Phormium 'Anna Red'

Phormium 'Anna Red' is a stunning New Zealand flax renowned for its rich red bronze foliage and elegant architectural form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.
Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-chocolate-chip-
Phormium 'Chocolate Chip'

Phormium 'Chocolate Chip' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its rich chocolate bronze foliage and neat architectural form. This hardy...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-pink-panther-
Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium 'Pink Panther' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its colourful foliage featuring shades of pink, bronze, and green. This eye...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-spearmint-
Phormium 'Spearmint'

Phormium 'Spearmint' is an attractive New Zealand flax prized for its fresh green foliage highlighted with creamy margins. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-blondie-
Phormium 'Blondie'

Phormium 'Blondie' is a compact New Zealand flax admired for its bright golden yellow foliage that brings year round colour and texture to the...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Bronze Baby' growing alongside a stream.
Phormium 'Bronze Baby'

Phormium 'Bronze Baby', commonly known as Bronze Flax, is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its fine, arching leaves in rich bronze...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Chocolate Fingers' plants with brown-green foliage.
Phormium 'Chocolate Fingers'

Phormium 'Chocolate Fingers' is a compact New Zealand native flax celebrated for its rich, dark chocolate brown foliage. Its fine, upright leaves...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-chocomint--2
Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium 'Chocomint' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its unique foliage colouring that blends chocolate brown and green tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-coffee-1
Phormium 'Coffee'

Phormium 'Coffee' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich coffee brown foliage that adds year round colour, texture, and structure to...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium colensoi plant.
Phormium colensoi

Phormium colensoi is a graceful New Zealand native flax valued for its softer, more arching foliage and natural elegance. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium cookianum hookeri plant with green foliage and yellow flowers.
Phormium cookianum hookeri

Phormium cookianum hookeri is a variety of flax that produces long and broad, gently arching, green leaves. This flax typically grows to 2 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Black Rage'

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What Is Ben Flax?

Ben flax refers to Phormium—native New Zealand flax plants recognised for their tough, sword-like leaves and impressive versatility. Phormiums are not only eye-catching but also incredibly robust, thriving in coastal, urban, and rural environments alike. They’re a trusted go-to for gardeners seeking low maintenance, drought-resistant options and attractive garden structure all year round.

Uses for Ben Flax in New Zealand Gardens

Phormium is a design classic that fits seamlessly into modern landscapes, cottage gardens, and native plantings. Ben flax can be used for:

The striking foliage of ben flax—ranging from deep greens to fiery reds—makes it a favourite for contrast and texture. It also works well as a divider, windbreak, or accent plant, thriving in sun or partial shade.

Top Ben Flax Varieties

If you’re looking to add ben flax to your garden, New Zealand nurseries offer a brilliant selection of Phormium cultivars. Some popular choices include:

How to Grow and Care for Ben Flax

Phormium thrives in full sun or part shade and tolerates a range of soil types, even poor or sandy soils. Ben flax is exceptionally drought-resistant once established, making it a stress-free choice for busy gardeners. Ensure you mulch around the base during dry spells and trim back older leaves at ground level to maintain a neat appearance.

Why Choose Ben Flax for Your Landscape?

With its combination of year-round visual appeal, endurance, and wildlife value, ben flax stands out as a must-have for New Zealand gardens. Explore the diversity of Phormium options like Phormium 'Evening Glow', Phormium 'Green Dwarf', Phormium 'Emerald Gem', Phormium 'Jester', and Phormium 'Surfer' to find the perfect ben flax for your landscape ambitions.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
You know Gardenia 'Veitchii' and Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), but have you met Tulbaghia variegata 'Tricolor' (Society Garlic), Fraxinus griffithii, and Rhodohypoxis 'Milloides Claret'? These beauties are worth a closer look.
–The Plant Company

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