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red flax

Red flax (Phormium) is a stunning ornamental plant native to New Zealand that has gained popularity due to its striking foliage and versatility in landscaping. This hardy perennial is well-known for its vibrant red-hued leaves, making it an eye-catching addition to any garden or landscape design. Red flax thrives in various conditions, ranging from coastal sites to inland gardens, offering gardeners a resilient option that can withstand the variable New Zealand climate.

Phormium Rainbow Red

Phormium Rainbow Red is a graceful and smaller variety of Flax that carries striking, pink-red foliage. This variety typically grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide with a tidy and compact habit. Phormium Rainbow Red makes a fantastic addition to mixed plantings and borders, using in coastal gardens, planting to accentuate water features such as ponds and streams, or growing around pool and barbecue areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian

Phormium Red Dwarf

Phormium Red Dwarf is a popular NZ native that features striking red-purple leaves. It grows as a tidy clump to about 1 m tall and the same wide. Phormium Red Dwarf is commonly added to mixed plantings, borders, coastal gardens, and is often planted around water features as well as pool and barbecue areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
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Phormium Rainbow Queen (Rainbow Flax)

Phormium Rainbow Queen is a variety of Flax that produces long, sword-like leaves that are bronze-green with pink-red margins. This variety typically...

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Crassula corymbulosa plant with purple-green leaves.

Crassula corymbulosa (Red Pagoda)

Crassula corymbulosa, commonly known as the Shark’s Tooth Crassula, is a succulent carries fleshy, dark green leaves with a purple-red undertone...

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Leptospermum Red Falls

Leptospermum Red Falls, also known as Leptospermum scoparium Red Falls, is a low-growing New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its vibrant red...

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Leptospermum Red Damask

Leptospermum Red Damask, also known as Leptospermum scoparium 'Red Damask', is a hardy New Zealand native shrub celebrated for its striking double...

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Hebe Red Edge (Hebe albicans Red Edge)

Hebe Red Edge is a NZ native that features masses of small but pretty, lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white. These are produced...

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Escallonia Red Elf

Escallonia Red Elf is renowned for its masses of quaint flowers. Lush and glossy, green leaves give way to showy clusters of red flowers through...

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Pelargonium Redder Than Red (Deep Red Geranium)

Pelargonium Redder Than Red is a variety of Pelargonium grown for its clusters of bright red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

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Hemerocallis Red Wonder (Red Daylily)

Hemerocallis Red Wonder is a variety of the commonly known, Day Lily, and features very showy flowers. The showy, red flowers are only at peak...

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Buddleia 'Royal Red' dark pink flowers and grey-green foliage.

Buddleia Royal Red

Buddleia Royal Red is a deciduous and fast-growing shrub produces large sprays of scented, rose-pink flowers from summer through autumn. These are...

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Escallonia Red Dream

Escallonia Red Dream is a smaller variety grown for both its attractive foliage and quaint flowers. Glossy, green leaves give way to clusters of...

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Phormium cookianum (Mountain Flax)

Phormium cookianum (commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki) produces long and gently arching dark green leaves. This NZ native grows to 1.5 m...

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Azalea Mrs Kint Red (Mrs Kint Red Azalea)

Azalea Mrs Kint Red is grown for its lovely form and profuse flowering. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of medium sized, pink flowers...

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Phormium Moonraker (Moonraker Flax)

Phormium Moonraker is a variety of Flax that produces cream and green leaves, and grows with a tidy and compact habit to about 75 cm tall and the...

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Myrsine australis tree with green leaves and red stems.

Myrsine australis (Red Matipo)

Myrsine australis, commonly known as Red Matipo, is a NZ native shrub grown for its handsome foliage. It features red stems which host yellow-green...

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Pelargonium Two in One Dark Red (Red Pelargonium)

Pelargonium Two In One Dark Red is a variety of Geranium grown for its clusters of dark red flowers. The showy flowers are borne through spring and...

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Clivia Red (Natal Lily)

Clivia Red is an herbaceous perennial grown for its impressive blooms. Clusters of large and showy, bright red flowers are borne on slender stems...

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Brunia 'Ruby Red' plant with red flowers.

Brunia Ruby Red

Brunia Ruby Red is a shrub with unusual flowers. The flowers in summer are red and appear as tight, bead-like heads. It grows as a tall, slender...

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Cordyline Red Star

Cordyline australis Red Star features gently arching leaves are borne as a crown atop a short trunk. It will reach 3 m tall and 1.5 m wide...

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Carex comans Red (Red Carex)

Carex comans Red is a NZ native, ornamental grass that features slender, hair-like foliage which is a bronze-red colour. It grows as a clump and will...

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Acer Red Emperor (Red Emperor Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum Red Emperor is an impressive Japanese Maple that features lush foliage that emerges a deep red colour, remains this way until autumn...

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Phormium Chocolate Chip (Chocolate Chip Flax)

Phormium Chocolate Chip is a smaller variety of Flax that produces leaves that are coloured milk-chocolate. It grows to 75 cm tall and wide in full...

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Phormium Jester (Jester Flax)

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

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Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red

Leucothoe axillaris Curly Red, commonly known as Dog Hobble, is a beautiful shrub which is grown of its colourful and curly foliage. New foliage is...

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Callistemon Red Cluster (Red Bottlebrush)

Callistemon Red Cluster is a vigorous, evergreen shrub renowned for its attractive foliage and bottlebrush-like flowers. Masses of the showy, red...

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Persicaria Red Dragon

The Persicaria Red Dragon plant, commonly known as Knotweed, is a small shrub grown for its beautiful foliage. It carries elongated leaves that are...

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A plant adorned with red Abutilon flowers and lush foliage.

Abutilon Red

Abutilon Red, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Red Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, features showy, intense red, lantern-shaped flowers from...

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Azalea Red Poppy

Azalea Red Poppy is a very colourful variety of Azalea. This hardy, evergreen shrub produces masses of showy, semi-double, deep red flowers with a...

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Lagerstroemia Best Red

“Best Red” is a small, deciduous tree, grown for its lovely flowers, foliage, and great form. It produces clusters of ruffled, bright red flowers...

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Escallonia Red Knight

Escallonia Red Knight is renowned for its attractive foliage and quaint flowers. Lush and glossy, green leaves give way to showy clusters of red-pink...

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Malus Red Jade

Malus Red Jade is a variety of Crabapple with a weeping growth habit. Rose coloured flower buds open into showy, white-pink blossoms in spring just...

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Phormium Rainbow Red

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Acer, Azalea, Brunia, Buddleia, Callistemon, Carex, Clivia, Cordyline, Crassula, Escallonia, Hebe, Hemerocallis, Lagerstroemia, Leptospermum, Leucothoe, Malus, Myrsine, Pelargonium Persicaria and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Azaleas, Evergreen Shrubs, Succulents, Crabapples Deciduous Trees and Maple Tree.

Search red flax

Characteristics of Red Flax

The remarkable feature of red flax is its alluring foliage, which can range in colors from deep burgundy to bright red, depending on the variety. This plant typically grows tall, reaching heights of up to 2 meters, and has sword-like leaves that create a dramatic vertical interest in your garden beds. In addition to its stunning appearance, red flax is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enhance their gardens with low-maintenance plants.

Growing and Caring for Red Flax

Red flax prefers well-drained soil and enjoys full sun to partial shade. For those living in areas that experience frost, it's advisable to plant red flax in a sheltered location to provide it with additional protection. Regular watering will support its growth, especially during the establishment phase, but be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. To ensure your red flax remains healthy and vigorous, occasional pruning or the removal of dead leaves is recommended.

Benefits of Incorporating Red Flax in Your Garden

Incorporating red flax into your landscape design provides numerous benefits. Not only does it serve as a striking focal point, but it also attracts birds and beneficial insects, which can enhance your garden's ecosystem. This plant works beautifully in borders, alongside other colorful varieties like Hemerocallis Red Wonder and Heliconia Red Christmas, allowing for a vibrant display of color throughout the seasons. Additionally, red flax is an excellent choice for coastal gardens due to its resistance to harsh salt winds.

Explore Related Plant Varieties

As you consider adding red flax to your gardening repertoire, you might also be interested in exploring similar varieties that offer striking red hues. Check out Phormium Red Dwarf for a compact option or Phormium tenax for a native alternative. If you are looking for complementary shrubs, consider Leptospermum Red Falls or Buddleia Royal Red to create a cohesive and colorful garden design.

Each of these related plants can harmonize beautifully with red flax, enriching your landscape with varying shapes and shades of red, allowing your garden to truly flourish. Start your journey today with red flax and explore the diverse world of colorful New Zealand flora, including other stunning choices such as Escallonia Red Dream and Hoya pubicalyx Red Button. With the right selection and care, you'll enjoy a vibrant, thriving garden for years to come.


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–The Plant Company

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