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phormium black

Searching for phormium black? You’re in the right place. Phormium black varieties are some of the most striking and architectural foliage plants you can add to your New Zealand garden or landscape project. Known for their dramatic dark leaves and easy-care nature, these hardy New Zealand flax cultivars create strong contrast, structure, and year-round appeal in gardens both modern and native-inspired.

Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.

Phormium 'Black Rage'

5 from 2 customers

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 dramatic and architectural plant adds instant impact to gardens, providing colour contrast and strong vertical form. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. Phormium 'Black Rage' is the perfect choice for gardeners wanting a low maintenance yet eye catching feature.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, 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. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal sites to urban landscapes. Phormium 'Dark Delight' is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low maintenance, architectural feature.

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
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 '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
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...

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Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

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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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1m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

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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...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.
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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

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Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.
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Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

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Ficus Black Knight growing in a pot with lush, dark foliage.
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Phormium 'Black Rage'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Camellia, Coprosma, Fagus, Ficus, Fuscospora, Heuchera, Nyssa, Ophiopogon, Phormium, Phyllostachys, Plum, Prumnopitys, Ribes Tiarella and Wisteria, or related Categories - Black polythene, Weedmat, Currants, Deciduous Climbers, Flaxes, Plum Trees, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search phormium black

What Makes Phormium Black So Special?

Phormium black varieties are loved for their rich, deep burgundy to near-black leaves. These cultivars not only bring colour and texture but also withstand tough coastal conditions, drought, wind, and frost. Their low-maintenance requirements make phormium black an excellent choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners. When you plant a phormium black, you’re adding drama to your borders, modern courtyard, poolside, or containers.

Popular Phormium Black Varieties to Consider

Within the world of phormium black, several outstanding cultivars stand out for garden use. Explore favourites such as Phormium 'Platts Black', a popular compact form with slender, deep purple-black leaves perfect for dense mass planting. Another sought-after choice is Phormium 'Black Magic', which features upright, broad, purple-black foliage that really makes a statement in landscaping schemes.

Looking for an especially bold impact? Phormium 'Black Rage' is valued for its upright form and intense, saturated black leaves, perfect for feature planting. For smaller spaces or container gardens, Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax) offers all the inky drama in a tidy, compact size.

How to Grow and Use Phormium Black in Your Landscape

Phormium black varieties thrive in full sun to partial shade and are adaptable to most soils, especially those that drain well. Plant them as eye-catching specimen plants, group in borders for contrast, or use as tough fillers for tough sites—including coastal and exposed gardens.

Mulch in spring, water deeply when newly planted, and remove old or damaged leaves to keep them looking their best. Phormium black pairs beautifully with gravel gardens, sub-tropical designs, or even contrasted with golden-leaved varieties like Phormium 'Apricot Queen'.

Why Choose Phormium Black for Your NZ Garden?

Phormium black adds bold structure and all-seasons interest, offering an easy-care solution to complex design problems. Their resilience means less time worrying and more time enjoying a garden that stands out from the rest. Whether you’re seeking a standout specimen, a textural ground cover, or a contemporary container plant, there’s a phormium black variety to suit every need.

Explore our range of phormium black cultivars to transform your garden with dark, elegant foliage and unmistakable New Zealand character.


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.

Our garden favourites Canna Cannova Rose and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Carex flagellifera Red, Pachysandra terminalis, and Boysenberry 'Tasman'.
–The Plant Company

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