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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.

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 ornamental plant brings strong colour and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. With its dramatic foliage and easy care nature, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a standout feature for both modern and traditional landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, 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$18.23
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$20.18
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$20.93
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$18.23
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$18.23
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$14.78
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 '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$20.93
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
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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
phaedranthus-buccinatorius-2
Phaedranthus buccinatorius (Mexican Blood Flower)

Phaedranthus buccinatorius, commonly known as the Mexican Blood Flower, is a stunning tropical climber. It features showy and fragrant, trumpet...

From$29.63
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
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
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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 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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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.


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.

Everyone knows classic varieties like Heuchera Peppermint Spice (Coral Bells) and Ficus Tuffi, but you might just fall in love with Acer Brandywine (Brandywine Maple), Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant), and Olive Verdale.
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