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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.

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Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy clump to about 40 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Stripy Mist is commonly added to mixed and border plantings, included in coastal gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
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Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to about 80 cm tall and the same wide. Phormium Veneer is commonly added to mixed and border plantings, included in coastal gardens, planted around outdoor living areas, or maintained in a container.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
phormium-pepe-

Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium Pepe is a smaller variety of Flax that produces narrow and sword-like, bright green leaves. It typically grows to just 45 cm tall and the...

From$20.93
phormium-velvet-underground-1

Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.93
phormium-pink-panther-

Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium Pink Panther produces long, sword like leaves that are candy pink with red-bronze margins. This Flax typically grows to 1.2 m tall and the...

From$20.93
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$18.23
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$18.23
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$18.23
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.

Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

From$18.23
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$16.13
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...

From$20.93
phormium-chocomint--2

Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

From$24.23
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$16.13

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$17.48
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.

Phormium 'Jester'

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

From$24.23
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$20.93
Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

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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.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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