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focal flax

Discover why focal flax is the go-to choice for New Zealand gardeners wanting to create dramatic, eye-catching features in their landscape. Whether you're designing a modern garden, coastal retreat, or lush native setting, focal flax varieties offer stunning structural appeal, year-round colour, and low-maintenance resilience. Their bold foliage and architectural lines are perfect for drawing attention to feature beds, borders, or entranceways. Let’s explore how focal flax can transform your outdoor spaces while supporting sustainable, local gardening.

Callistemon citrinus (Red Bottlebrush) shrub covered in elegant, red flowers.

Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Scented Bottlebrush)

Callistemon citrinus (Crimson Bottlebrush) is a classic Australian shrub widely loved in New Zealand for its brilliant crimson red flower spikes and tough evergreen foliage. Flowering generously from late spring into summer, it attracts bees and birds while delivering bold seasonal colour. Hardy, sun loving and tolerant of coastal exposure, this versatile shrub brings structure, vibrancy and reliability to a wide range of garden styles.

From $27.53

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Autumn, Winter
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
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 structure and year round colour to gardens. Well suited to NZ conditions, it thrives in a range of environments and is ideal for feature planting, borders, and modern landscapes.

From $12.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
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$17.95
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$12.95
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
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$17.95
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$12.95
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.49
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$17.95
dianella-caerulea-goddess-
Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$20.63
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 '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$12.95
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$12.95
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$9.95
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$17.95
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...

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
Alcantarea imperialis (Giant Bromeliad) plant with a large red flower.
Alcantarea imperialis

Alcantarea imperialis, commonly known as the Giant Bromeliad, is a striking architectural plant prized for its massive rosette of broad, silver green...

From$69.95
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

From$159.95
acer-tamukeyama-1
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama'

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamukeyama' is one of the most admired Japanese Maples, prized for its finely dissected deep red foliage and graceful...

From$299.95
prunus-subhirtella-pendula-rosea-3
Prunus 'Pendula Rosea'

Prunus 'Pendula Rosea' is a stunning weeping ornamental cherry tree admired for its cascading branches and masses of soft pink flowers during spring...

From$387.55
camellia-japonica-volunteer-
Camellia Volunteer

Camellia 'Volunteer' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its large, soft pink blooms and glossy green foliage. It provides elegant winter to...

From$34.95
pyrus-salicifolia-pendula-1
Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula'

Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula' is a graceful ornamental pear admired for its elegant weeping branches and silvery grey foliage. The narrow leaves create...

From$515.35
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$20.63
Hibiscus 'Red Knight' large and showy, red flower.
Hibiscus 'Red Knight'

Hibiscus 'Red Knight' is a striking flowering shrub prized for its large deep red blooms and lush glossy foliage. This tropical style hibiscus...

From$19.95
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Stella Rossa' tree with fine, dark purple foliage.
Acer 'Stella Rossa'

Acer 'Stella Rossa' is a striking Japanese Maple valued for its finely dissected deep red foliage and elegant cascading growth habit. The rich...

From$399.95
Dianella caerulea 'Breeze' growing in a roadside garden.
Dianella 'Breeze'

Dianella 'Breeze' (Turutu) is a hardy and attractive perennial that brings lush, strappy green foliage and clusters of delicate blue flowers to New...

From$16.49
cordyline-lime-fountain-3
Cordyline Lime Fountain

Cordyline 'Lime Foutain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...

From$30.29
prunus-southern-gem-
Prunus Southern Gem

Prunus 'Southern Gem' is a beautiful cherry tree prized for its early pink blossoms that herald the arrival of spring. This deciduous tree grows up...

From$387.55
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
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$20.63
phormium-maori-chief-
Phormium 'Maori Chief'

Phormium 'Maori Chief' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its impressive size, rich bronze green foliage, and strong architectural presence. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Scented Bottlebrush)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callistemon, Dianella, and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search focal flax

What Makes Focal Flax Special?

Focal flax refers to select varieties of New Zealand flax (Phormium) that are purposefully planted for their strong visual impact. These plants stand apart with their upright, sword-like leaves in hues ranging from vivid greens and creamy yellows to deep purples and bronzes. Their versatility allows you to use them as centrepieces in garden design, providing structure and movement while also complementing a range of companion plants. Thanks to their hardy nature, focal flax thrives in various conditions—coastal, urban, or rural—making them an ideal investment for Kiwi gardens.

Top Varieties of Focal Flax

Some standout options for focal flax include:

Mixing different focal flax varieties can add depth and texture to your landscape, while single-specimen plantings deliver crisp, modern lines.

Designing With Focal Flax

Focal flax plants are ideal for creating visual anchors in your garden. They work well as specimen plants in lawns, adding height and colour to mixed borders, or framing pathways and patios. Consider pairing them with contrasting foliage, such as Cordyline 'Raspberry Fountain', which offers weeping burgundy leaves for even more impact, or surround your flax with flowering natives like Callistemon citrinus (Lemon Scented Bottlebrush) for vibrant seasonal displays.

Focal flax also excels in container gardening, providing an easy-care solution for patios and decks. Their adaptable nature makes them suitable for both structured urban gardens and relaxed, wild settings.

Focal Flax Care and Maintenance

One of the best aspects of focal flax is their resilience. They tolerate wind, salt, and drought, making them perfect for New Zealand’s ever-changing weather. Regular removal of old leaves keeps your flax looking tidy, and annual mulch will support strong root growth. If you’re seeking spectacular, easy-care plants that make a statement, focal flax is the answer.

Explore our full range of focal flax, ornamental shrubs, and landscape plants to create your very own garden masterpiece.

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.
There’s more to explore beyond Schefflera arboricola and Sambucus nigra — like the subtle beauty of Acer 'Red Emperor', Azalea 'Inga', and Cordyline Jade Fountain.
–The Plant Company

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