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rainbow queen flax

Rainbow Queen flax is one of the most popular and striking selections among New Zealand Phormium, celebrated for its vibrant, multi-toned foliage and architectural presence in the landscape. Known botanically as Phormium 'Rainbow Queen', this hardy flax is a favorite for gardeners seeking exceptional colour, texture, and year-round interest. Whether you're updating a modern garden or creating a lush, low-maintenance border, rainbow queen flax brings dramatic flair to any outdoor space.

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 ornamental plant brings strong colour and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. With its dramatic foliage and easy care nature, Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a standout feature for both modern and traditional landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 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, Modern, Native, Riparian
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2

Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue undertone. Flower stems rise above the foliage through spring to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers which result in blue berries. It grows to 60 cm tall and 40 cm wide in full sun or partial shade. Dianella Kentlyn is commonly mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in borders or mixed plantings, planted around the base of large trees, grown around water features such as streams and ponds, or included in cottage gardens. This is a popular plant.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Wet
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
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...

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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...

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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 '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...

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Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

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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...

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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...

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Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

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Dianella Blaze

Dianella Blaze features broad and gently arching, bronze-purple leaves that are very showy. It typically grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.
Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' (Blue Flax Lily) is a compact and hardy ornamental grass like plant valued for its attractive blue green foliage and tidy...

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Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' double red flowers.
Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen'

Leptospermum 'Burgundy Queen' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its profusion of double burgundy red flowers that appear from spring through...

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Echeveria Violet Queen

Echeveria Violet Queen is an outstanding succulent that grows as a short and stout rosette of succulent leaves. The leaves are blue-grey with a fine...

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Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise' pink and dark red foliage.
Coprosma 'Rainbow Surprise'

Coprosma ‘Rainbow Surprise’ is a vibrant NZ shrub admired for its colourful and glossy foliage. The leaves display a lively mix of pink, cream, and...

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Leptospermum 'Blossom Queen'

Leptospermum 'Blossom Queen' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its masses of colourful flowers and fine textured foliage. This attractive tea...

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Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow'

Euphorbia 'Ascot Rainbow' is a striking evergreen perennial known for its colourful variegated foliage featuring green, cream, and pink tones...

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Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) is a graceful, fast growing palm known for its arching fronds and tropical appearance. This elegant tree adds...

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Epipremnum Golden Queen

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Iris Rose Queen (Japanese Water Iris)

“Rose Queen” is a variety of Japanese Water Iris that produces spectacular flowers. The showy, two-tone pink blooms are borne atop sturdy stems in...

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Lavender 'The Queen' shrub with pink flowers.
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Lavender 'The Queen' is a regal lavender variety admired for its rich purple blooms and fragrant grey green foliage. Flowering from spring into...

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Iris 'Snow Queen' is a stunning bearded iris known for its elegant pure white blooms that bring freshness and sophistication to New Zealand gardens...

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Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Coprosma, Dianella, Echeveria, Epipremnum, Euphorbia, Iris, Lavender, Leptospermum Phormium and Syagrus, or related Categories - Flaxes, Indoor Plants, Palm Trees, Perennials, Iris Plants, Evergreen Shrubs Succulents and Maple Tree.

Search rainbow queen flax

Distinctive Features of Rainbow Queen Flax

Rainbow Queen flax boasts bold, sword-shaped leaves streaked with deep green, coral, gold, and bronze. This dynamic combination creates a "rainbow" effect that stands out against lawns, paving, and other plantings. Growing to approximately 1.2 - 1.5 metres tall, rainbow queen flax forms a robust clump, perfect for adding height and movement to garden beds. Its foliage remains striking even through winter, making it a true all-seasons performer.

Discover more about this beautiful plant on our Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' product page.

How and Where to Use Rainbow Queen Flax

Rainbow queen flax is incredibly versatile in both design and function. It shines as a statement plant in feature beds, dramatic mass plantings, or as a backdrop for smaller natives and perennials. For urban spaces or courtyard gardens, rainbow queen flax is ideal for large containers where its vibrant leaves create an instant focal point with minimal care. Resistant to wind, salt spray, and periods of dryness, it's suitable for New Zealand’s diverse climates, including coastal and exposed sites.

Planting and Care Tips

For best results, plant rainbow queen flax in full sun to partial shade, in well-drained soil. While established Phormium tolerates dry conditions, providing some moisture in summer will keep the foliage lush and colourful. Minimal pruning is needed—just remove old or damaged leaves at the base as necessary. If you’re pairing rainbow queen flax with other New Zealand flaxes, consider companions such as Phormium 'Rainbow Chief' or Phormium 'Rainbow Maiden' to amplify colour and texture in your garden.

Related Phormium Varieties You Might Love

Beyond rainbow queen flax, New Zealand gardeners enjoy a colourful selection of related Phormium. Phormium 'Rainbow Surprise' offers even more vibrant striping, while Phormium 'Apricot Queen' brings warm apricot tones to the garden palette. Each variety is easy to grow, hardy, and provides year-round beauty with minimal fuss.

Shop Rainbow Queen Flax in New Zealand

Growers and designers love using rainbow queen flax for reliable structure and eye-catching foliage. Whether you’re planning an all-native landscape or looking for a bold accent, Phormium 'Rainbow Queen' is a tried-and-true choice for New Zealand gardens. Browse our online plant nursery to secure healthy, hand-selected rainbow queen flax for your next project, or explore other exceptional Phormium varieties to suit your style.


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 spotlight often lands on Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' and Corokia 'Bronze King', but Miscanthus sinensis, Ginkgo 'Ming Princess', and Acer palmatum Seiryu deserve a standing ovation too.
–The Plant Company

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