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phormium flowers

Phormium flowers are a striking, unique feature of New Zealand’s beloved native flaxes. Often admired for their dynamic, sword-like foliage, phormiums present an extra layer of beauty when their tall flower spikes burst into bloom each year. These architectural flowers not only add bold texture to gardens but also attract native birds and pollinators. Whether you have an urban garden, a coastal retreat, or a sprawling rural property, integrating phormium flowers into your landscape creates year-round interest and a sense of wild elegance.

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Phormium 'Pink Panther'

5 from 1 customers

Phormium Pink Panther produces long, sword like leaves that are candy pink with red-bronze margins. This Flax typically grows to 1.2 m tall and the same wide with a tidy and compact habit. Phormium Pink Panther makes a fantastic addition to mixed and border plantings, and is often planted around water features, added to coastal gardens, or planted around pool and barbecue areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Containers, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native
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Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to about 80 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Veneer is commonly added to mixed and border plantings, included in coastal gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
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$18.23
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$16.13

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$17.48
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$20.93
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$18.23
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$18.23
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$16.13
A large Phormium 'Evening Glow' plant in a garden.

Phormium 'Evening Glow'

Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword-like leaves that are coloured various shades of pink and red with a...

From$20.93
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...

From$18.23
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$24.23
phormium-stripy-mist-

Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy...

From$20.93
phormium-velvet-underground-1

Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.93
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Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium Pepe is a smaller variety of Flax that produces narrow and sword-like, bright green leaves. It typically grows to just 45 cm tall and the...

From$20.93
strelitzia-reginae-mandelas-gold-

Strelitzia Mandelas Gold (Yellow Crane Flower)

Strelitzia reginae Mandelas Gold, commonly known as Yellow Crane Flower or Yellow Bird Of Paradise, produces spectacular yellow flowers through...

From$83.63
brunfelsia-blue-moon-

Brunfelsia Blue Moon (Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Flower)

Brunfelsia Blue Moon, commonly known as the Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Flower, features masses of sweetly fragrant, pansy like flowers are produced...

From$26.93
phormium-chocomint--2

Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

From$24.23
chaenomeles-double-take-orange-

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange (Flowering Quince)

Chaenomeles Double Take Orange is a flowering Quince that features masses of orange flowers from late winter. At this time the shrub is an arching...

From$26.93
ozothamnus-springtime-white--2

Ozothamnus Springtime White (Rice Flower)

“Springtime White” is a shrub grown for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. Clusters of white flowers with a paper-like appearance are...

From$26.93
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$33.68
rose-flower-carpet-pink-

Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose Flower Carpet Pink features large trusses of semi-double, pink flowers. Flowering begins in spring and continues until autumn provided the spent...

From$33.68
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$33.68
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$29.63
rose-flower-carpet-scarlet-

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet

Rose Flower Carpet Scarlet is a ground cover rose that features masses of showy, scarlet red flowers. The flowers are complemented with glossy, dark...

From$33.08
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Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose Flower Carpet Gold is a popular ground cover rose that features masses of showy, yellow flowers. Flowering begins in spring and will continue...

From$33.68
Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Brunfelsia, Chaenomeles, Ozothamnus, Phormium Rose and Strelitzia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Perennials, Carpet Roses Deciduous Shrubs and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search phormium flowers

What Makes Phormium Flowers Unique?

Phormium flowers appear on tall, upright stems that can reach up to 2 metres, rising gracefully above the foliage in mid to late spring. They display tubular clusters in shades of deep red, orange, yellow, or even green depending on the variety. Most notably, the blooms are rich in nectar, which draws in tūī, bellbirds, and other beneficial pollinators. The tubular structure of phormium flowers allows native birds easy access to nectar, effortlessly supporting local biodiversity.

How to Encourage Phormium Flowering

To maximise the display of phormium flowers in your garden, choose an open, sunny position with free-draining soil. While phormiums are hardy and tolerant, regular moisture and the occasional slow-release fertiliser help promote lush growth and more prolific blooms. Remove spent flower spikes after flowering to tidy the plant and encourage further growth in the following season.

Popular Phormium Varieties for Amazing Flowers

Some cultivated flaxes are grown primarily for their showy leaves, but many varieties deliver spectacular phormium flowers as well. Our favourite picks include:

Designing Your Garden with Phormium Flowers

Phormium flowers add drama and movement to mixed borders, coastal gardens, and modern landscape designs. Use them as specimen plants, mass plantings, or as living windbreaks that offer architectural value at all times of year. Their upright flower spikes create a striking contrast with softer-textured companion plants like grasses, hebes, and native ferns.

Add Phormium Flowers to Your Garden

Incorporating phormium flowers into your planting palette ensures you’ll enjoy both exceptional form and seasonal blooms that support native wildlife. Browse standout varieties like Phormium 'Sunset Dreams', Phormium 'Pink Panther', Phormium 'Sundowner', Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden', and Phormium 'Veneer' to find the perfect addition to your New Zealand garden. With striking foliage and unforgettable flower spikes, these flaxes provide beauty and biodiversity benefits season after season.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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