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phormium red

Add dramatic flair to your garden year-round with Phormium red – New Zealand’s iconic red flax known for its striking foliage and low maintenance. Whether you’re looking to enhance your landscape with bold colour, create architectural interest, or introduce hardy native plants that thrive in Kiwi conditions, Phormium red is an excellent choice. These versatile and attractive flaxes are ideal for focal points, container planting, borders, and mass plantings, with a robustness that makes them suitable for coastal, urban, and rural gardens alike.

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: 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
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: 80 cm
Spread: 80 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-red-dwarf-
Phormium 'Red Dwarf'

Phormium 'Red Dwarf' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich red foliage and tidy clumping form. This hardy evergreen adds bold colour and...

OUT OF STOCK
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 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
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' ground cover plant with creeping stems with green foliage and red flowers.
Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Rocky Rambler' is a compact, spreading bottlebrush known for its vibrant red flower spikes and fine evergreen foliage. This variety...

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Azalea 'Red Wings'

Azalea 'Red Wings' is a striking evergreen azalea admired for its vivid red flowers that appear in abundance during spring. The vibrant blooms sit...

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Escallonia 'Red Knight' growing as a border around the base of a tree.
Escallonia 'Red Knight'

Escallonia 'Red Knight' is a vibrant evergreen shrub prized for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This hardy variety produces...

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Callistemon 'Red Alert'

Callistemon 'Red Alert' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its brilliant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring into summer. The vivid...

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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...

From$14.95
Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.
Buddleia 'Royal Red'

Buddleia ‘Royal Red’ is a bold deciduous shrub celebrated for its rich red crimson flower spikes and sweet summer fragrance. Flowering over an...

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Leptospermum 'Red Falls'

Leptospermum 'Red Falls' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its cascading growth habit and masses of vibrant red flowers through spring and...

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Acer 'Red Sunset'

Acer 'Red Sunset' is one of the finest deciduous maples for autumn colour, producing a spectacular display of brilliant scarlet and crimson foliage...

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Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe'

Gazania 'New Day Red Stripe' is a colourful perennial valued for its distinctive striped flowers, compact habit, and long flowering performance. The...

From$20.63
Callistemon citrinus 'Red Cluster' small tree with masses of red, pendulous flowers.
Callistemon 'Red Cluster' (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Red Cluster' is a striking bottlebrush variety valued for its clusters of vivid red flower spikes and dense evergreen foliage. Flowering...

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Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green...

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Acer palmatum 'Red Emperor' specimen tree in a mixed planting.
Acer 'Red Emperor'

Acer 'Red Emperor' is a striking Japanese maple valued for its rich deep red foliage and strong upright form. This deciduous tree performs...

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A Loropetalum 'Red Temple' plant with dark purple-red foliage and elegant, pink flowers.
Loropetalum 'Red Temple'

Loropetalum 'Red Temple' produces mildly fragrant, pink-red flowers through winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage on this bushy...

From$28.91
Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' rose-coloured foliage.
Pseudowintera Red Glow'

Pseudowintera 'Red Glow' is a bright and vibrant NZ native shrub. New foliage emerges rose-pink and ages to become a fresh green colour. The leaf...

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Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.
Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The...

From$20.01
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Grevillea 'Red Clusters'

Grevillea 'Red Clusters' is a vibrant evergreen shrub that produces masses of rich red flower clusters throughout the year. Its fine foliage and...

From$24.95
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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
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Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
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...

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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 '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
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Camellia 'Red Red Rose'

Camellia 'Red Red Rose' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms that bring bold colour and elegance to New Zealand gardens...

From$32.95
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
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' red and green spotted foliage.
Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard'

Pseudowintera 'Red Leopard' is a NZ native shrub that features striking foliage. The leaves are gold-green with dominant, deep red leopard spots. It...

From$136.04
Grapefruit 'Cutler's Red' orange fruit.
Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red'

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red' produces good yields of large, deep orange, juicy fruit from winter through spring. The rind is thick but easily peeled. It...

From$369.95
Coprosma Red Rocks with colourful foliage in a garden.
Coprosma 'Red Rocks'

Coprosma 'Red Rocks' is a hardy NZ native shrub known for its rich red toned foliage and tough spreading habit. Naturally found in coastal...

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Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.
Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Azalea, Callistemon, and Escallonia, or related Categories - Flaxes, Evergreen Azaleas, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search phormium red

Why Choose Phormium Red?

Phormium red varieties are prized for their stunning sword-like leaves in shades ranging from deep burgundy to vibrant red. These hardy natives bring a splash of colour even in the depths of winter and resist wind, coastal spray, and drought. Their evergreen foliage ensures year-round structure in your landscape, and they're a top pick for both modern and native garden designs.

Phormium red flaxes are renowned for their resilience. They require little maintenance once established—simply remove older leaves at the base to keep your plants looking fresh. They’re tolerant of a wide range of soils and will thrive in full sun or partial shade. With so many options available, it’s easy to find the perfect flax to suit your garden’s style and conditions.

Popular Red Phormium Varieties

Selecting the right Phormium red variety adds a personal touch to your garden. For bold, deep red tones, Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a well-loved favourite. It grows to a moderate height and provides rich red colour that intensifies in cool weather, making it a fantastic choice for borders or feature planting.

Another standout is Phormium 'Pink Panther', which offers a unique blend of pink and red foliage for an eye-catching effect. If you prefer a more compact option, Phormium 'Surfer' brings a splash of colour to smaller gardens, pots, or mixed borders with its tidy, upright habit.

For those looking for red-tinged leaves in a larger specimen, Phormium tenax is a traditional favourite, renowned for both its majestic size and subtle red hues. Or try Phormium 'Veneer', which features a beautifully layered combination of reds, bronzes, and greens for multi-dimensional colour.

How to Grow and Care for Red Phormium

Planting Phormium red is straightforward. Choose a spot with well-drained soil and good sunlight, although these robust flaxes will tolerate some shade. Water regularly in the first growing season to help roots establish, but once mature, Phormium red needs little additional water, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.

Red phormiums are generally pest and disease resistant, and handle coastal exposure and wind with ease. Fertilise in spring with a slow-release native plant fertiliser for best results. Prune back any damaged or older leaves at ground level to keep your plants looking vibrant and fresh.

Create Impact with Phormium Red

Whether used as a bold specimen, planted en masse for maximum effect, or combined with other New Zealand natives like grasses and hebes, Phormium red adds lasting colour and structure to your garden. Explore our range of Phormium varieties including Phormium 'Evening Glow', Phormium 'Surfer', Phormium tenax, Phormium 'Pink Panther', and Phormium 'Veneer' to find the perfect red-flushed flax for your landscape. With their bold hues and rugged Kiwi spirit, Phormium red plants are a lasting investment in colour and texture for all seasons.

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.
Our most famous blooms include Schefflera arboricola and Gardenia radicans, but some of our best-kept secrets are Hemerocallis 'Curls', Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer', and Prunus 'Jim's Delight' — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

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