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phormium purpureum

Phormium purpureum, commonly known as Purple Flax, is a striking New Zealand native plant celebrated for its bold, architectural presence and rich purple-hued foliage. Revered by gardeners and landscapers for both its beauty and resilience, phormium purpureum brings year-round colour and texture to any planting scheme. Whether you’re searching for statement specimens, robust border plants, or low-maintenance options for challenging locations, this reliable flax truly stands out in gardens across New Zealand.

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 round texture, movement, and structure, making it a versatile choice for gardens of all sizes.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
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 structure and year round colour to gardens. Well suited to NZ conditions, it thrives in a range of environments and is ideal for feature planting, borders, and modern landscapes.

From $14.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: 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$14.95
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$14.95
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 '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...

From$249.95
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$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
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
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
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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
A large and colourful Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' plant.
Phormium cookianum purpurea

Phormium cookianum 'Purpurea' is a variety of Flax with long, sword-like, purple leaves. This variety typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the same...

OUT OF STOCK
Arthropodium candidum 'Purpureum' plant with white flowers.
Arthropodium candidum purpureum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium candidum purpureum (Dwarf Rock Lily) is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its deep purple foliage and delicate sprays of...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Purple Haze'

Phormium 'Purple Haze' is a striking New Zealand flax admired for its rich purple bronze foliage and graceful arching form. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
A colourful Phormium 'Merlot' dark red-purple flax plant.
Phormium 'Merlot'

Phormium Merlot is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword like leaves that are coloured dark purple-grey with a distinctive black...

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
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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
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Acer pseudoplatanus purpureum (Sycamore Tree)

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Purpureum' is a striking deciduous tree prized for its large green leaves with rich purple undersides. The contrasting foliage...

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
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
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
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
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Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium 'Velvet Underground' is a dramatic New Zealand flax prized for its rich dark burgundy to almost black foliage and bold architectural form...

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
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
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
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...

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 '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
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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 '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
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

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What Is Phormium purpureum?

Phormium purpureum refers to the purple-leaved forms of New Zealand flax, particularly hybrids and cultivars selected for their deep burgundy or purple foliage. These versatile evergreens are tough, wind-resistant, and salt-tolerant, making them ideal for both coastal and inland sites. Their upright, fan-shaped leaves create instant drama, while summer flower spikes attract native birds and pollinators. If you love the look, consider exploring Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax), a popular variety for larger landscapes, or Phormium cookianum purpurea, which offers a softer, arching habit perfect for modern gardens.

Growing and Caring for Phormium purpureum

Phormium purpureum adapts well to a wide range of soils but prefers well-drained ground and thrives in full sun, where its dramatic colouring is most vibrant. It tolerates drought and poor soils once established, yet benefits from occasional deep watering during extremely hot or dry periods. Simply remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep your plant neat and healthy.

These flaxes are generally pest-free and untroubled by New Zealand’s weather extremes. For mass plantings, try combining with grasses, hebes, and contrasting groundcovers. Their upright habit provides a perfect backdrop for soft, mounding perennials such as Arthropodium candidum purpureum (Rengarenga Lily), whose pale flower sprays look stunning against purple flax foliage.

Design Ideas With Phormium purpureum

Phormium purpureum is a landscaper’s secret weapon for adding bold structure and long-lasting colour. Use it as a statement specimen in containers, borders, or coastal gardens. For layered planting schemes, pair purple flax with green or bronze varieties for striking contrast. Popular cultivars include Phormium 'Veneer', which offers unusual mid-brown tones, and Phormium 'Merlot', a compact flax with deep red leaves perfectly suited to smaller spaces.

Phormium purpureum works beautifully with modern architecture as well as naturalistic native plantings. Its upright form provides year-round interest even when other plants are dormant, and the foliage looks stunning after rain as water beads on the glossy purple leaves.

Why Choose Phormium purpureum?

If you’re seeking a vibrant, hardy evergreen that requires little maintenance yet delivers maximum impact, phormium purpureum is an outstanding choice. With a variety of sizes, leaf colours, and habits, there’s a purple flax to suit every garden style. From statement pots to massed drifts, phormium purpureum continues to win favour with New Zealand gardeners for its adaptability, performance, and visual appeal.

Ready to add drama and structure to your garden? Browse our full range, including Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax), Phormium cookianum purpurea, and the ever-popular Phormium 'Veneer' or Phormium 'Merlot' to find the perfect phormium purpureum for your needs.

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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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
You know Lomandra Frosty Tops and Coprosma 'Hawera' (Sand Coprosma), but have you met Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet', Ozothamnus Springtime White (Rice Flower), and Rose 'Lavender Jewel'? These beauties are worth a closer look.
–The Plant Company

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