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flax purple

Flax purple is an increasingly popular choice for New Zealand gardens, prized for its bold colour and stunning architectural form. These striking, evergreen plants offer dynamic foliage in shades of deep burgundy through to purple-black, creating a strong statement in perennial borders, modern landscapes, and native gardens. Their hardiness, adaptability, and year-round interest make flax purple varieties a top pick for both experienced landscapers and beginner gardeners looking to add low-maintenance colour and texture to their outdoor spaces.

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

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 70 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
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.

Dianella 'Blaze'

5 from 3 customers

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red through the seasons. The tidy clumping habit makes it ideal for modern landscapes, while sprays of blue flowers followed by decorative berries add extra interest.

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
fraxinus-purple-spire-2
Fraxinus 'Purple Spire'

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple...

From$387.55
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Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly...

From$299.95
fagus-riversii-7
Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'

Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii' is a magnificent deciduous tree admired for its rich deep purple foliage that creates a dramatic display from spring until...

From$270.40
Bougainvillea 'Krishna' light purple flower.
Bougainvillea 'Krishna'

Bougainvillea 'Krishna' is a dwarf variety that grows compactly with few thorns, yet produces impressive flowers. Throughout the summer, it bears...

From$30.29
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

From$24.95
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$99.95
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$14.95
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$8.50
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$14.95
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$7.50
prunus-thundercloud-4
Prunus 'Thundercloud'

Prunus 'Thundercloud' is a striking ornamental plum tree admired for its rich purple foliage and masses of soft pink flowers during spring. This...

From$349.95
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$14.95
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
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
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$16.49
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$19.95
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.49
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$249.95
Lavender 'Major' plants with purple flowers above olive-green foliage.
Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Major' is an impressive lavender variety known for its tall flower spikes and rich purple blooms held above aromatic grey green foliage...

From$18.95
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$14.95
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

From$270.40
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
phormium-tenax-purpurea-1
Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax)

Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its rich purple bronze foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen native...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-purple-haze-
Phormium 'Purple Haze'

Phormium 'Purple Haze' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its rich purple bronze foliage and graceful arching form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
Dianella 'Little Jess'

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small...

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
Hoheria 'Purple Wave' foliage with green leaves and purple undersides.
Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave'

Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave', commonly known as Purple Lacebark, is a quick-growing, small, NZ native tree that features colourful foliage. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' plant covered in purple flowers.
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' (Purple Rock Cress)

Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' is a beautiful low growing perennial that produces masses of vivid purple flowers in early spring. The colourful blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
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
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' rich purple foliage.
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie'

Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' produces rich purple foliage, which is held densely off near prostrate stems. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and 1.2 m...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Surfer'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Bougainvillea, and Dianella, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Flaxes, and Indoor Plants.

Search flax purple

Why Choose Flax Purple for Your Garden?

Purple flax (Phormium) delivers more than just vibrant foliage. These hardy perennials are ideal for a wide variety of uses, including accent planting, boundary definition, erosion control, and wetland restoration. Their upright, sword-like leaves create interesting contrasts against softer green shrubs and flowers, making them exceptional focal points or mass plantings. In addition, flax purple plants are drought-tolerant once established, handle coastal winds well, and are untroubled by most pests and diseases, making them a resilient choice for gardens throughout New Zealand.

Top Varieties of Purple Flax

If you’re searching for true colour and garden drama, explore our top-selling flax purple options:

How to Grow and Care for Flax Purple

Caring for flax purple is straightforward, making these plants a long-lasting feature in any landscape. Plant in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. While flax purple tolerates drought, moderate watering during the first season will ensure strong establishment. These tough performers are adaptable to coastal conditions and can tolerate poorer soils, making them suitable for many New Zealand environments.

Remove spent flower spikes and old or damaged leaves to keep plants looking their best. For best colour, grow in full sun and apply mulch to help retain soil moisture.

Design Tips and Garden Uses

Use flax purple to anchor garden beds or line pathways with year-round structure and colour. Their striking foliage pairs well with native grasses, flowering perennials, and groundcovers. For a contemporary effect, try grouping several varieties—such as Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax) and Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant)—for a layered look. Their versatility means you can also showcase flax purple in containers for patio interest.

Flax purple creates show-stopping displays and low-maintenance solutions for your New Zealand garden. Explore our range of purple flax varieties and find the perfect fit for your outdoor space.

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.
The spotlight often lands on Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma) and Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald', but Tilia platyphyllos, Echinopsis oxygona, and Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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