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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.

A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

5 from 3 customers

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 bronze shades. This striking ornamental variety brings drama, colour, and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal sites to urban landscapes. Phormium 'Dark Delight' is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low maintenance, architectural feature.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, 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.

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-stripy-mist-

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...

From$20.93
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$20.93
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$117.09
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 '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
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$18.23

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$18.23
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$20.93
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$14.78
Phormium 'Dark Delight'

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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.

–The Plant Company

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