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phormium varieties

If you’re searching for phormium varieties to enhance your New Zealand garden, you’re in the right place. Phormiums, commonly known as New Zealand flax, offer a striking mix of colours, forms, and textures that thrive across a range of garden styles. From bold architectural statements to softer, border-friendly selections, phormium varieties are celebrated for their versatility, low maintenance, and year-round appeal. Discover which cultivars may suit your space and how their unique characteristics can elevate your landscape.

Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.

Phormium 'Black Rage'

5 from 2 customers

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 dramatic and architectural plant adds instant impact to gardens, providing colour contrast and strong vertical form.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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 '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
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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 '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 '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 '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 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
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 '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
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-blondie-
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 '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
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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...

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 'Majestic Rage' purple flax plants.
Phormium 'Majestic Rage'

Phormium 'Majestic Rage' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad leaves that are a rich bronze colour. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall and...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-tenax-purpurea-1
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
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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 'Red Fingers'

Phormium 'Red Fingers' is a striking New Zealand flax prized for its slender red bronze foliage and compact architectural form. This evergreen plant...

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
phormium-licorice-lime-
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
phormium-purple-haze-
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
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 '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 '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
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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
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
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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
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 'Black Rage'

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

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What Makes Phormium Varieties Unique?

Phormium varieties are prized for their showy, sword-like foliage, which comes in a palette of greens, bronzes, reds, golds, and even pinks. These hardy plants flourish in coastal gardens, urban courtyards, and rural retreats alike, thanks to their tolerance for wind, salt, and periods of drought. Beyond aesthetics, phormiums are valued for their resilience—perfect for busy gardeners and anyone seeking lasting structure in their plantings.

Popular Phormium Varieties in New Zealand

There’s no shortage of phormium varieties available, each with its own charm. For vibrant colour, Phormium 'Sunset Dreams' offers striking pink and bronze foliage that lights up contemporary garden beds. If you prefer deep, dramatic hues, Phormium 'Black Magic' delivers near-black leaves, creating bold contrast among lighter plants.

For smaller spaces and borders, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' stands out as a compact option with slender, olive-green leaves. Traditionalists often turn to Phormium 'Maori Chief' for its robust clumping habit and rich, coppery tones. For gardens seeking soft gradients and shimmering effects, Phormium 'Sundowner' showcases a blend of rose, gold, and green highlights.

How to Use Phormium Varieties in the Garden

Phormium varieties excel as specimen plants, in mixed plantings, along driveways, or in containers. Their architectural lines deliver year-round structure, making them ideal for lawns, coastal gardens, and contemporary outdoor spaces. Many phormium varieties also pair beautifully with grasses, native shrubs, and flowering perennials to create dynamic, textured compositions.

Caring for Your Phormium Varieties

Most phormium varieties are exceptionally easy to grow. They prefer well-drained soils and will thrive in both full sun and partial shade. Once established, phormiums need little water, making them ideal for sustainable gardens. Remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep your plants looking tidy, and enjoy their reliability and resistance to pests and diseases.

Explore Our Range of Phormium Varieties

Ready to transform your garden with New Zealand’s iconic flax? Browse our handpicked selection of phormium varieties, including Phormium 'Sunset Dreams', Phormium 'Black Magic', Phormium 'Jack Spratt', Phormium 'Maori Chief', and Phormium 'Sundowner'. Whether you’re starting a new border or refreshing an established garden, phormium varieties are a smart choice for beauty and resilience.

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.
Love Corokia 'Geenty's Green' and Ficus Tuffi? Then you’ll adore the quiet charm of Pandorea 'Charisma', Rosmarinus 'Chef's Choice' (Culinary Rosemary), and Lomandra Little Pal.
–The Plant Company

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