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phormium nz

Searching for "phormium nz" brings you to a world of iconic New Zealand natives, packed with architectural flair and landscape versatility. Phormium, commonly known as New Zealand flax, is celebrated throughout the country for its striking leaves, hardy nature, and ability to thrive in a variety of NZ climates. Whether you’re after a statement specimen for the garden or need a mass planting option to control erosion and add foliage colour, phormiums are the perfect choice. With so many cultivars boasting unique hues and textures, it’s easy to see why phormium is a favourite with Kiwi gardeners and landscapers.

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.

From $249.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.25 m
Spread: 1.25 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 70 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, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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$14.95
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
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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$19.95
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$8.50
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 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$14.95
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
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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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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 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...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' colourful foliage.
Phormium 'Sunset Dreams'

Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' is a stunning New Zealand native flax variety celebrated for its vibrant foliage of pink, apricot, and bronze tones. This...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Tricolour'

Phormium 'Tricolour' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its colourful foliage featuring green leaves edged with cream and highlighted by pink...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Bronze Baby' growing alongside a stream.
Phormium 'Bronze Baby'

Phormium 'Bronze Baby', commonly known as Bronze Flax, is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its fine, arching leaves in rich bronze...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Apricot Queen' orange, green, and yellow variegated foliage.
Phormium 'Apricot Queen'

Phormium 'Apricot Queen' is a stunning NZ flax variety valued for its arching leaves striped with apricot, cream, and green tones. This colourful...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Spearmint'

Phormium 'Spearmint' is an attractive New Zealand flax prized for its fresh green foliage highlighted with creamy margins. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Blondie'

Phormium 'Blondie' is a compact New Zealand flax admired for its bright golden yellow foliage that brings year round colour and texture to the...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Licorice and Lime'

Phormium 'Licorice and Lime' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its unique foliage combination of dark licorice coloured leaves highlighted...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Coffee'

Phormium 'Coffee' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich coffee brown foliage that adds year round colour, texture, and structure to...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Wildwood'

Phormium 'Wildwood' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its rich bronze green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Thumbelina' plant.
Phormium 'Thumbelina'

Phormium 'Thumbelina' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine arching foliage and neat rounded form. This attractive evergreen provides...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' flax plants with colourful pink and purple foliage.
Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden'

Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax variety admired for its striking pink, bronze, and green striped foliage. This...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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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
Phormium 'Joker' large and colourful plant.
Phormium 'Joker'

Phormium 'Joker' is a colourful New Zealand flax celebrated for its striking foliage featuring bronze green leaves with vibrant pink and cream...

OUT OF STOCK
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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
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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
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Phormium 'Shiraz'

Phormium 'Shiraz' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its rich burgundy red foliage and bold architectural form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
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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...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Elfin' flax plant.
Phormium 'Elfin'

Phormium 'Elfin' is a dwarf variety of flax that produces narrow, sword-like leaves that are coloured brown-bronze. This variety typically grows to...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

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

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Why Choose Phormium in NZ Gardens

Phormium is remarkably adaptable, handling coastal wind, frosty winters, and dry summers with ease. Its evergreen leaves provide a year-round backbone in mixed borders or native gardens, and its upright clumps create bold lines and movement. Phormium’s roots help stabilise soil, making it invaluable for slopes, banks, and re-vegetation projects across New Zealand. Beyond the practical gardening benefits, its tall flower spikes attract native birds like tūī and bellbirds, helping enhance your garden’s biodiversity.

Popular Phormium Varieties in NZ

New Zealand gardeners have a dazzling range of phormium varieties to choose from. For a standout with subtle bronze tones, consider Phormium 'Veneer', well-loved for its narrow, gracefully arching leaves and tidy form. If you’re after a dramatic, dark-leaved statement plant, Phormium 'Black Magic' delivers deep purple-black foliage that anchors modern planting schemes beautifully.

For even deeper tones, Phormium 'Black Rage' features richly pigmented leaves with a bold, upright stance perfect for creating contrast. Gardeners who enjoy a little more vibrancy often favour Phormium 'Dark Delight', offering reddish-bronze foliage that brings warmth to both pots and garden borders. And for a true classic, Phormium 'Tricolour' showcases striped leaves with green, cream, and rose-red tones—perfect for cottage gardens or eclectic planting mixes.

Planting and Care Tips for NZ Phormium

Phormium thrives in full sun or partial shade and isn’t fussy about soil, as long as drainage is good. Once established, most phormiums are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for water-wise gardens in New Zealand’s changing climate. To keep plants looking tidy and to encourage fresh new growth, remove any older or damaged leaves at the base. Phormium rarely needs feeding but can appreciate a balanced, slow-release fertiliser in spring for extra vigour.

Get Started With Phormium in Your NZ Garden

Whether you’re updating a modern landscape, needing hardy coastal planting, or wanting that unmistakable New Zealand feel, phormium is the plant for you. Discover the best selection of phormium in NZ and find the right variety to suit your garden style and conditions. Explore Phormium 'Veneer', Phormium 'Black Magic', Phormium 'Dark Delight', Phormium 'Black Rage', and Phormium 'Tricolour' to bring enduring beauty and resilience to your outdoor space.

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.
Start your garden with Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Rhododendron 'Black Magic', and add depth with lesser-known gems like Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri), Abutilon 'Lucky Lantern Yellow', and Magnolia 'Deryk'.
–The Plant Company

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