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purple flax

Purple flax is a striking, hardy New Zealand native renowned for its bold foliage and reliable performance in a range of garden settings. With its dramatic purple to bronze-leaved tufts reaching up to 2 metres high, purple flax lends fantastic structure, rich colour, and year-round vibrancy to landscapes both modern and naturalistic. Whether planted as a sculptural focal point, grouped for bold contrast, or woven through mixed perennial beds, purple flax brings drama to gardens, coastal plantings, and urban spaces. In addition to its visual appeal, purple flax is incredibly low maintenance, tolerates wind and salt, and is drought-hardy once established, making it ideal for challenging sites or busy gardeners.

Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching foliage adds year round structure, texture, and colour contrast to the garden. This hardy and versatile variety is ideal for small spaces, borders, and containers.

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, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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.

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 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
acer-nigrum-
Acer platanoides Nigrum

Acer platanoides 'Nigrum' is a striking deciduous tree valued for its large deep purple foliage and impressive shade creating canopy. The richly...

From$299.95
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
fraxinus-purple-spire-2
Fraxinus 'Purple Spire'

Fraxinus 'Purple Spire' is an elegant deciduous tree admired for its upright narrow habit and outstanding autumn foliage that develops rich purple...

From$387.55
Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' flower cluster.
Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'

Hoya 'Royal Hawaiian Purple' is a stunning evergreen climber prized for its thick glossy foliage and clusters of richly coloured star shaped flowers...

From$20.63
fagus-riversii-7
Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii'

Fagus sylvatica 'Riversii' is a magnificent deciduous tree admired for its rich deep purple foliage that creates a dramatic display from spring until...

From$270.40
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 '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
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$99.95
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire) trees growing in a modern garden.
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire)

Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple...

From$270.40
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...

From$19.95
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
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
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$16.49
Lavender 'Major' plants with purple flowers above olive-green foliage.
Lavender 'Major'

Lavender 'Major' is an impressive lavender variety known for its tall flower spikes and rich purple blooms held above aromatic grey green foliage...

From$18.95
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 '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
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'

The Purple Fountain beech is a variety of European Beech tree that features colourful foliage and weeping branches. The glossy leaves emerge deep...

From$270.40
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-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
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 '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...

OUT OF STOCK
Mangave 'Purple People Eater' plant with purple leaves.
Mangave Purple People Eater

Mangave Purple People Eater is an impressive succulent that features a rosette of thick, purple leaves with a blue-green undertone. They are leathery...

OUT OF STOCK
Hoheria 'Purple Wave' foliage with green leaves and purple undersides.
Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave'

Hoheria populnea 'Purple Wave', commonly known as Purple Lacebark, is a quick-growing, small, NZ native tree that features colourful foliage. The...

OUT OF STOCK
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' plant covered in purple flowers.
Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' (Purple Rock Cress)

Aubrieta 'Purple Cascade' is a beautiful low growing perennial that produces masses of vivid purple flowers in early spring. The colourful blooms...

OUT OF STOCK
Crassula multicava 'Purple Dragon' plant.
Crassula multicava Purple Dragon

Crassula multicava Purple Dragon is a succulent that grows as an attractive ground cover. It carries fleshy, green-yellow leaves, with a purple...

OUT OF STOCK
boronia-purple-jared-4
Boronia Purple Jared

Boronia 'Purple Jared' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its masses of richly coloured purple flowers and fine aromatic foliage. The highly...

OUT OF STOCK
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' rich purple foliage.
Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie'

Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie' produces rich purple foliage, which is held densely off near prostrate stems. It typically grows to 40 cm tall and 1.2 m...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Cream Delight' plant in a garden.
Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

Phormium 'Cream Delight' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are variegated with dark green and cream. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
mesembryanthemum-purple-splendour--2
Mesembryanthemum Purple Splendour

“Purple Splendour” is a variety of the commonly known, Iceplant, and is an herbaceous perennial grown for its spreading nature and pretty flowers. It...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Surfer'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Fagus, and Fraxinus, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants, and Deciduous Trees.

Search purple flax

Why Choose Purple Flax for Your Garden

If you’re searching for a versatile landscape plant, purple flax stands out for several reasons. Its sword-like leaves create an architectural flair, while the purple and bronze tones provide a stunning accent or complement to lush greens and silvers. Purple flax works exceptionally well as a specimen, background planting, or as an evergreen structural element in formal designs. It’s also suitable for containers, mass plantings, and even as part of wildlife gardens, providing nesting material for native birds.

Beyond its visual impact, purple flax is resilient and adaptable. It grows well in full sun to partial shade and tolerates poor soils, provided there is some drainage. In coastal gardens and urban environments, purple flax holds up to wind, salt spray, and pollution. Plant it along driveways, beside pools, or on exposed banks for an attractive, practical solution that thrives with minimal input.

Popular Purple Flax Varieties

There are numerous cultivars of purple flax, each with its own shade and growth habit. One classic choice is Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax), a robust, upright variety with deep purple-red leaves that form a dense clump. For even greater colour intensity and a slightly more compact form, try Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant), whose foliage leans toward rich, smoky mauve. For gardeners interested in more diversity, Phormium 'Jester' offers playful, striped foliage with a blush of rose and red. If you admire contemporary, upright forms, Phormium 'Taya' (Taya Flax) could be another top choice.

Companion Planting and Design Ideas

Purple flax pairs beautifully with a range of New Zealand natives and drought-tolerant exotics. Combine it with the blue-purple foliage of Dianella Blaze for striking contrast, or use with grasses and silver-leaved plants for naturalistic, low-water plantings. Its robust habit works well beside water features, in coastal borders, and in modern courtyard gardens.

Easy Care and Maintenance

One of the main appeals of purple flax is its fuss-free maintenance. Simply remove any old or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant looking its best. It rarely suffers from pest or disease issues in New Zealand conditions. An established purple flax requires only minimal watering, making it perfect for sustainable and low-input gardens.

When you choose purple flax, you’re investing in a dynamic, enduring statement plant that celebrates Aotearoa’s unique garden heritage and suits a variety of uses. Explore the outstanding range of New Zealand flaxes, including Phormium tenax purpureum (Purple Flax) and Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant), and introduce bold colour and texture to your landscape.


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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