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phormium sunrise

Phormium 'Sunrise' is a vibrant, architectural New Zealand flax prized for its warm, sunrise-inspired leaf colours and easy-care nature. Whether you're looking to brighten up coastal gardens, create bold statement plantings, or add year-round interest to your landscape, phormium sunrise checks all the boxes. Its sword-shaped leaves, striped in shades of apricot, coral, gold, and lush green, make it a popular choice for both modern and classic garden styles throughout New Zealand.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

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 foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies.

From $7.50

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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 '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 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-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$14.95
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$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
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 '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 '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 '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 '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...

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phormium-coffee-1
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...

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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...

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phormium-taya-
Phormium 'Taya'

Phormium 'Taya' is a beautiful New Zealand flax valued for its elegant foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen provides year...

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phormium-duet-
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
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
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
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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...

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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
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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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
phormium-tricolour-
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 tenax green plant.
Phormium tenax 'Green' (Harakeke)

Phormium tenax 'Green' is a classic New Zealand flax valued for its strong upright green foliage and outstanding versatility in the landscape. This...

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...

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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 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
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...

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 tenax

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Search phormium sunrise

Stunning Colour and Form for Kiwi Gardens

The real attraction of phormium sunrise lies in its vivid, multi-toned foliage. In garden beds, container displays, or mass plantings, this flax stands out with its glowing hues that shift with the light, echoing the beauty of a sunrise. It grows in tufts up to about 1 metre tall, keeping a neat, clump-forming habit, which makes it ideal for edging, borders, or as an accent feature.

Easy Care and Versatility

Gardeners appreciate phormium sunrise not just for its looks but for its resilience. Drought-tolerant once established, wind-hardy, and salt spray-tolerant, this flax is perfect for coastal areas and exposed sites. It thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts to a variety of soils, as long as they drain well. Minimal maintenance is needed—simply remove any older leaves as required to keep it looking sharp.

Perfect Pairings and Design Ideas

For a dramatic, textural planting scheme, consider pairing phormium sunrise with other striking flaxes like Phormium 'Veneer', which features rich chocolate tones, or the silvery Phormium 'Stripy Mist' for a contrast in both colour and form. If you're looking for a classic native planting, mix with Phormium tenax or the deep green Phormium tenax 'Green' (Harakeke). To extend your garden's palette, blend with the dusky pinks of Phormium 'Sunset Dreams', creating multi-layered interest all year round.

Landscaping with Phormium Sunrise

Phormium sunrise excels as a low-maintenance specimen for urban gardens, rural landscapes, and public spaces alike. Plant en masse for erosion control, define pathways, or use as background structure in mixed borders. This adaptable cultivar complements native themed gardens, contemporary designs, and even subtropical schemes. Its upright habit means it won’t sprawl or become invasive—a bonus for smaller gardens.

Growing Tips

Mulch young plants well to maintain consistent moisture, especially in summer. Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage lush growth. While phormium sunrise tolerates dry conditions, it appreciates an occasional deep soak during extended drought. Trim spent flower stalks and old leaves at the base to encourage new foliage.

Explore the full range of New Zealand flaxes and discover other bold varieties such as Phormium 'Veneer', Phormium tenax, Phormium 'Stripy Mist', Phormium tenax 'Green' (Harakeke), and Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' for even more colour and texture in your garden. With phormium sunrise, you’ll enjoy easy-care natives that look stunning year-round and support New Zealand’s natural beauty.

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.
From trusted favourites like Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra Frosty Tops to fresh faces like Quercus laurina, Ilex crenata 'Convexa', and Arctotis 'Magenta Wine' — we’ve got you covered.
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