Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

mountain flax phormium colensoi

Mountain flax Phormium colensoi is a standout native plant in New Zealand gardens, prized for its elegant foliage, adaptability, and cultural significance. This iconic NZ flax, called Wharariki in Māori, thrives in a range of landscapes from alpine slopes to coastal sand dunes. Its tough, arching green leaves and compact form make it a versatile choice for both residential and commercial gardens where you want a low-maintenance, sculptural accent. If you’re searching for plants that deliver year-round visual appeal and resilience, mountain flax Phormium colensoi ticks all the boxes.

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 $12.95

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
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

4.8 from 4 customers

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 full sun on a well-drained site.

From $8.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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$12.95
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$17.95
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 '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...

From$17.95
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 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
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 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
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...

Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
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
prunus-mountain-haze-
Prunus Mountain Haze

Prunus 'Mountain Haze' is a beautiful flowering cherry that produces an abundance of soft blossoms during spring, creating a spectacular display in...

From$515.35
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$22.01
fuscospora-cliffortioides-4
Fuscospora cliffortioides (Mountain Beech)

Commonly known as Mountain Beech, this is a large, evergreen tree native to NZ. The foliage comprises small, dark green leaves which are held densely...

From$270.40
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
phormium-moonraker--3
Phormium 'Moonraker'

Phormium 'Moonraker' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its bold cream to yellow foliage that brings exceptional brightness and structure to...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-taya-
Phormium 'Taya'

Phormium 'Taya' is a beautiful New Zealand flax valued for its elegant foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen provides year...

OUT OF STOCK
Poa colensoi growing in an alpine location.
Poa colensoi

Poa colensoi is an ornamental tussock grass that features fine, blue-green foliage and grows to about 30 cm high and wide. Poa colensoi is commonly...

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
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-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 'Tom Thumb' plants with lush green foliage for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Phormium 'Tom Thumb'

Phormium 'Tom Thumb' is a hardy variety of Flax that grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide, carrying narrow, sword-like green-brown leaves. Phormium...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium 'Dazzler' plant with colourful, red and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Dazzler'

Phormium 'Dazzler' is a variety of flax that produces long leaves that are dark purple with rose-pink stripes. It typically grows to 1.2 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Yellow Wave' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Yellow Wave'

Phormium 'Yellow Wave' is a Flax that produces yellow, sword-like leaves. It grows to 1.2 m tall and wide in full sun on a well-drained site. This...

OUT OF STOCK
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
Phormium 'Sweet Mist' plants in a border garden.
Phormium 'Sweet Mist'

Phormium 'Sweet Mist' is a popular, dwarf flax that features bronze-coloured leaves. It grows to 40 cm tall and wide in full sun on a well-drained...

OUT OF STOCK
Pseudopanax colensoi dark green leaves.
Pseudopanax colensoi (Mountain Five Finger)

Pseudopanax colensoi, commonly known as Rautawhiri, is a distinctive New Zealand native shrub or small tree prized for its leathery, glossy green...

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-crimson-and-clover-
Phormium 'Crimson and Clover'

Phormium 'Crimson and Clover' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its colourful foliage that combines rich crimson red tones with contrasting...

OUT OF STOCK

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search mountain flax phormium colensoi

Why Choose Mountain Flax Phormium colensoi?

Phormium colensoi brings lasting structure and movement to gardens, thanks to its thick, sword-shaped leaves that sway gracefully in the wind. Unlike the more upright common flax, mountain flax gives a softer, more relaxed look, making it perfect for borders, native plantings, and erosion control. Its tolerance for poor soils, wind, and coastal conditions means you can rely on mountain flax Phormium colensoi wherever you need a hardy, drought-tolerant specimen. It also flourishes in wetland areas and alongside streams, offering shelter and food for birds and insects.

How to Grow Mountain Flax Phormium colensoi

Plant mountain flax Phormium colensoi in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil. It’s remarkably easy to care for—just remove old leaves as they die back to keep the plant looking tidy. For best growth, water regularly during dry spells, especially in the first couple years. Once established, this NZ flax is highly tolerant of drought and neglect. Whether you’re restoring a native ecosystem or designing a contemporary garden, Phormium colensoi adapts seamlessly.

Creative Uses for Mountain Flax Phormium colensoi in Your Garden

Gardeners love mountain flax Phormium colensoi for its versatility. Use it as a specimen plant, in mixed borders for texture contrast, or as a reliable solution for stabilising slopes and preventing erosion. Its architectural foliage pairs beautifully with grasses and other native NZ species. Many designers also choose mountain flax to anchor coastal, wetland, or urban sustainable gardens. Plus, the plant’s striking flowers attract native birds and add seasonal interest.

Explore Other NZ Flaxes

If you’re investing in mountain flax Phormium colensoi, you might also want to discover other related flax species and cultivars. Explore Phormium colensoi for quality plants, or compare with Phormium cookianum, known for its broader leaves and robust growth. For colour and texture, consider Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax), Phormium 'Chocolate Chip' (Chocolate Chip Flax), or Phormium 'Red Fingers' (Red Fingers Flax)—all fantastic options for lively, low-maintenance landscaping.

Start Your Native Garden Project

Ready to add mountain flax Phormium colensoi to your garden or restoration project? This NZ native is a winning choice for sustainable landscapes, wildlife habitat, and striking visual effects. Browse our selection of Phormium colensoi and related flaxes to get started on your native planting vision 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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Think you know our range? Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' and Corokia 'Bronze King' are just the beginning — check out Euonymus 'Emerald Gem', Pyrus 'Candelabra', and Arctotis 'Fireball' (African Daisy).
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews