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mountain flax flower

The mountain flax flower is a stunning and iconic feature of New Zealand’s native landscapes. Known for its graceful, arching green leaves and elegant sprays of flower clusters, mountain flax (Phormium cookianum) brings year-round interest to gardens and naturalised plantings. Whether you’re a home gardener looking for hardy, low-maintenance foliage, or a landscaper creating habitat for native birds, understanding the mountain flax flower and its varieties will help you make the most of this beautiful plant in your outdoor space.

Phormium cookianum

5 from 1 customers

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall flower spikes. It typically grows 1–1.5 metres tall and wide, making it ideal for borders, mass plantings, or coastal gardens.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Ponds
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Riparian
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

5 from 3 customers

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 bronze shades. This striking ornamental variety brings drama, colour, and structure to gardens year round.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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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...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
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Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
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Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

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Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

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Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

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Phormium 'Black Magic' plants in a large pot and featuring elegant, dark-coloured foliage.
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Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year...

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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...

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Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
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Ozothamnus Springtime White (Rice Flower)

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Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech)

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Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

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Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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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...

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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...

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Phormium 'Crimson Devil' plant with colourful foliage in a garden.
Phormium 'Crimson Devil' (Red Flax)

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A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
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Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) plant with lush green foliage growing beside a track.
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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...

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...

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

Search mountain flax flower

What is the Mountain Flax Flower?

Mountain flax flower belongs to Phormium cookianum, a New Zealand native commonly called mountain flax or wharariki. The flax’s flower spikes are a sight to behold, with clusters of tubular, yellow-green to red-toned blooms that appear in late spring to early summer. These nectar-rich flowers are a favourite for tūī, bellbirds, and other pollinators. The arching shape of the mountain flax flower’s stem gives the plant a soft, flowing look that beautifully complements modern and traditional landscapes alike.

Growing Mountain Flax Flower in Your Garden

Mountain flax is prized not only for its striking flower spikes but also for its adaptability. It thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a range of soils, from coastal sand to damp stream banks. Perfect for both large gardens and compact spaces, the mountain flax flower provides a dramatic focal point or can be mass-planted for erosion control on slopes. Once established, mountain flax handles wind, frost, and even coastal conditions, making it one of the most versatile natives for New Zealand gardens.

If you’re keen to introduce mountain flax to your landscape, explore some of the most popular and reliable options, including Phormium cookianum, prized for its gracefully arching leaves and reliable flower display.

Mountain Flax Flower Varieties

While the classic mountain flax (Phormium cookianum) is always impressive, selected cultivars are also available offering unique foliage colours and forms for your garden palette. For smaller gardens or container planting, varieties like Phormium 'Emerald Gem' are excellent, featuring a compact habit with bright green leaves perfect for borders or mixed planting. If you’re after a touch of gold, Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax) offers creamy-yellow edges, quickly catching the eye when in full flower.

For modern design schemes, try Phormium 'Taya' (Taya Flax), which has distinctively colored leaves that pair beautifully with other natives and perennials. If you want a hardy and stylish option for exposed or challenging sites, Phormium 'Wildwood' (Wildwood Flax) is popular for its resilience and aesthetic appeal.

Uses and Benefits of Mountain Flax Flower

The mountain flax flower isn’t just attractive—it’s practical too. These versatile plants were traditionally used by Māori for weaving and dyeing, with foliage and flower stalks both valued resources. Today, gardeners and landscapers value mountain flax for its ability to shelter wildlife, stabilise soil, and withstand tough New Zealand conditions with minimal fuss.

With a selection of robust and beautiful options, from classic Phormium cookianum to exciting cultivars like Phormium 'Emerald Gem', mountain flax flower remains a superb choice for any garden seeking dynamic foliage, bird life, and effortless year-round interest.

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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.

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We love Griselinia 'Broadway Mint' and Rosmarinus prostratus (Creeping Rosemary) as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Pittosporum tenuifolium, Camellia 'Takanini', and Nandina 'Firepower'.
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