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phormium shade

Phormium shade is an underrated gem for New Zealand gardens. If you're searching for striking foliage that thrives in less-than-sunny spots, look no further than the versatile phormium, commonly known as New Zealand flax. Traditionally valued for their architectural style and bold colours, phormiums are often associated with full sun – but many varieties excel in partial shade, and a few even do well in quite shady areas. Integrating phormium shade plants into your landscape adds year-round structure, low-maintenance beauty, and that unmistakable Kiwi flair.

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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 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 $12.95

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 'Black Magic' plants in a large pot and featuring elegant, dark-coloured foliage.

Phormium 'Black Magic'

5 from 1 customers

Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is a striking NZ flax prized for its deep purple black foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen variety adds year round drama and contrast to gardens, landscapes, and commercial plantings. Hardy and adaptable, it performs well across a wide range of NZ conditions. Phormium ‘Black Magic’ is low maintenance, wind tolerant, and ideal for creating bold structure in both modern and traditional garden designs.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 30 cm
Spread: 30 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
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...

From$17.95
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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$17.95
phormium-wildwood-
Phormium 'Wildwood'

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

From$17.95
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...

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$9.95
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$12.95
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$12.95
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 '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$9.95
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$12.95
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
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$12.95
50-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
50-windbreak-roll-2
Windbreak - 50% (Garden Shade Cloth)

This green windbreak is also used as garden shade cloth and reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will...

From$856.80
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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
phormium-shiraz-
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 '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 'Duet'

Phormium 'Duet' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its attractive green leaves edged with creamy yellow margins. This evergreen plant provides...

OUT OF STOCK
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Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is an attractive New Zealand flax valued for its beautifully variegated foliage featuring soft green leaves striped with...

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 '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 'Moonraker'

Phormium 'Moonraker' is a striking New Zealand flax renowned for its bold cream to yellow foliage that brings exceptional brightness and structure to...

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 '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 colensoi plant.
Phormium colensoi

Phormium colensoi is a graceful New Zealand native flax valued for its softer, more arching foliage and natural elegance. This evergreen plant...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-maori-chief-
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
phormium-pixie-
Phormium 'Pixie'

Phormium 'Pixie' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine arching foliage and neat growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year round...

OUT OF STOCK
A Phormium 'Guardsman' colourful flax plants in pots.
Phormium 'Guardsman'

Phormium 'Guardsman' is a variety of flax that produces long and broad leaves that are brown with a pink margin. This Flax typically grows to 1.3 m...

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
Phormium 'Veneer'

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

Search phormium shade

Why Choose Phormium for Shade?

Phormium shade solutions are perfect for areas where other plants struggle. Shady corners, under trees, or the southern side of buildings can all benefit from the dramatic leaves and reliable performance of these tough natives. Phormium are famed for their adaptability, drought tolerance, and resistance to wind and salt, making them a perfect choice for coastal or urban gardens where conditions can be challenging.

Top Phormium Varieties for Shade

Certain phormium cultivars are particularly well-suited to shaded spots, offering vibrant colour and contrasting foliage in places where most sun-lovers won't thrive. Here are a few outstanding varieties to consider:

Phormium Shade Planting Tips

To get the best from phormium shade plantings, choose a spot with free-draining soil and don't forget to water well until established. While most phormium will tolerate dry shade, they appreciate extra moisture in deep shade, especially during summer. A layer of mulch will keep roots cool and help retain water. Mix and match different varieties for layered texture and colour, or use a single cultivar for a bold, contemporary look along a fence line or driveway.

Year-Round Impact in Shady Gardens

Phormium shade selections stand out for their dependable form and minimal care needs. Whether you’re seeking foliage drama under trees, low-maintenance pools of colour in shadowy corners, or reliable native structure for an urban oasis, there’s a phormium to suit your style. Select from top options like Phormium 'Veneer', Phormium 'Black Magic', or Phormium 'Blondie' to bring new life to shaded spaces in your New Zealand garden.

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.
We love Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) and Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Heuchera 'Northern Exposure Black', Betula platyphylla Japonica, and Tagetes lemmonii (Mexican Marigold).
–The Plant Company

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